GIFT   OF 
JANE  K.5ATHER 


IJ 


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;i:  Ifc-a!  fc-^Ji  !e,-^l |^-'-- i->-»i  .^-i.1  !*-■-%! 


Story... 


or  THE 


4TUGUEN0TS 


m'. 


Klorlcja  Historical  Xales. 


I 


AUTHOH'S   COITION. 


Story  of  the  Huguenots 


A   SIXTEENTH    CENTURY    NARRATIVE    WHEREIN 
THE  FRENCH,  SPANIARDS  AND   INDI- 
ANS  WERE  THE  ACTORS, 


BY 


K.   A.   IVTANN. 


Mann  &  Mann,  Publishers, 

St.  Augustine,  Fla. 

1898. 


H  '•-' 


Lo 


COPYRIGHT, 

1898, 
BY   F.   A.    MANN. 


,  •  •  ••••*••     • 

.      ••• 

•  • ^«  I  •  r  •  ••  •    •  .  .     • 


INTRODUCTION. 


This  is  a  simple  story  of  the  century  in  which  Flor- 
ida made  its  appearance  in  written  history;  of  other 
times  and  manners ;  of  men  whose  forms  the  writer  has 
sought  to  once  more  call  upon  the  stage  of  Life's  strange 
theatre,  if  only  like  the  ghosts  at  Macbeth's  feast  to  de- 
nounce the  crimes  and  cruel  statecraft  which  stained 
Florida's  first  historic  pages. 

If  it  be  sad  and  tragic  blame  not  the  writer,  but  those 
who  made  the  record.  Be  not  too  harsh  in  judgment 
even  upon  them ;  they  were  but  creatures  of  their  times 
and  circumstances ;  waifs  of  destiny  cast  by  the  break- 
ers of  relentless  fate  upon  our  shores. 

To  the  author's  Mother,  herself  a  descendant  of  the 
Huguenots,  this  book  is  dedicated. 

Florian  a.  Mann. 

Daytona,  Fla.,  May  24th,  1897. 


430770 


KLORIDA. 

Neither  prose,  however  deftly  written  by  a  master  of 
language ;  or  poetry  full  of  the  subtlest,  grandest  inspir- 
ation ;  or  the  art  of  the  painter,  however  well  the  artist 
hand  and  pencil  may  respond  to  ideal  conceptions  of 
scenic  beauty ;  can  more  than  approximate  a  presenta- 
tion of  Florida  to  the  mind  of  one  who  has  not  wandered 
in  its  forests,  stood  by  its  sea,  lake  and  river  shores, 
breathed  its  balmy  air  and  rejoiced  in  its  sunshine. 

On  all  the  surface  of  this  great  globe,  Florida  is 
unique  and  matchless  in  its  peculiarities  of  climate,  soil 
and  topography. 

In  the  latitude  of  the  great  African  Sahara,  washed 
by  the  same  ocean,  the  climate  and  scenery  of  this 
peninsular  region  is  at  every  point  the  opposite.  So  with 
its  soil ;  its  many  and  varied  agricultural  productions ; 
its  animal  life,  indigenous  or  domesticated;  its  general 
surface  and  configuration. 

More  than  three  centuries  ago  the  first  settlement  of 
Europeans  was  made  upon  her  shores,  yet  to-day  an 
hour's  walk  or  ride  from  the  boundaries  of  any  of  her 
towns  will  take  one  into  the  primitive  wilderness  of  for- 
est and  savanna,  dale,  hammock  or  cypress  bay,  wherein 
Ponce  de  Leon  lost  himself  nearly  four  hundred  years 
ago. 

Fire  swept,  war  swept,  though  the  land  has  been 
again  and  again,  yet  nature  regains  her  dominion  and 
erases  the  traces  of  attempted  conquest.     The  hordes  of 


painted  savages,  the  bannered  Armies  of  later  days,  have 
melted  into  the  earth  and  left  no  lasting  traces  behind. 
The  lofty  pines  throw  down  their  fragrant  needles  in  soft 
carpets  over  the  paths  worn  by  their  feet.  The  flowers 
and  the  grasses  hide  their  camping  grounds  and  their 
graves  alike  from  sight. 

Changeless,  yet  ever  changing  and  forever  beautiful, 
Florida  is  still  the  fair  temple  of  nature  as  erected  at  the 
first,  for  as  yet  the  hand  of  man  has  added  or  marred 
but  little. 

Still,  as  in  the  prehistoric  times,  the  tides  lap  her 
silver  beaches  along  more  than  a  thousand  miles  of 
shore.  Her  rivers  flow  with  tranquil  currents  to  every 
point  of  the  compass  untrammeled  by  man,  yet  furnish- 
ing easy  channels  for  his  commerce  or  weirdly  beautiful 
ones  for  his  pleasures.  Her  great,  clear  fountains  well 
up  from  subterranean  reservoirs  bounteous  and  exhaust- 
less  as  ever.  Her  thousand  lakelets  and  inland  seas  flash 
back  like  polished  silver  mirrors  the  glorious  sunshine  of 
continuous  summer  days  or  the  jewelling  stars  of  nights 
equally  as  perfect.  So  too,  as  always  since  known  to 
human  beings,  wild  or  half  way  civilized,  the  winds  of 
heaven  bring  to  all  its  parts,  inland  or  coastland,  sweet- 
ness, health  and  coolness. 

Here  no  sirocco  comes  with  burning  breath  to 
shrivel  up  flower  and  leaf,  blade  of  corn  or  grass.  No 
blizzard  comes  from  polar  zones  to  bind  in  fetters  of  icy 
death.  No  cyclones  tear  down  her  palms  and  pines,  her 
sturdy,  stately  oaks  and  their  congeners,  mingling 
uprooted  trunks  and  mangled  limbs  with  wrecks  of 
human  fabrics. 

Nor  yet  as  in  other  lands  that  would  rival  this,  does 
nature  in  a  mood  of  anarchy  and  chaos,  hold  aloft  the 


volcano's  torch  or  rock  and  cleave  the  earth  with  earth- 
quake horrors.  Here  she  shows  her  gentlest  spirit  and 
bids  love  reign,  in  beauty,  peace  and  comfort. 

Here  she  woos  men  to  come  and  build  their  homes, 
by  stream  or  lake  or  ocean  shore,  with  the  voices  of  gen- 
tle waves,  the  seolian  harps  of  pine  forests  or  the  unriv- 
aled minstrelsy  of  feathered  songsters  who  surely  learned 
their  notes  hard  by  the  gates  of  Eden. 

Vain  is  the  attempt  to  idealize  Florida,  as  master 
minds  have  other  lands.  She  has  no  ^gean  sea,  no  vale 
of  Tempe,  no  Parnassus  or  Olympian  heights;  no  blue 
tideless  Mediterranean,  no  snow  crowned  Alps  or  Appe- 
nines.  Few  are  her  sad  stories  of  human  woes  and  mis- 
ery, lurid  with  war  and  conflagration,  brightened  with 
sunbursts  of  glory  and  victory,  blackened  with  the 
despair  of  ages. 

Yet  can  she  forego  all  these  and  still  be  as  fair  a  land 
as  any  under  the  sun  for  this  is  what  she  is  just  as  God 
and  nature  made  her. 


Historical  Notes. 


Ill  1512,  Juan  Ponce  de  Leon,  Spanish  governor  of 
Porto  Rico,  fitted  out  three  ships  at  his  own  expense,  for 
a  voyage  of  discovery.  He  was  an  old  soldier,  brave  and 
skillful  in  the  art  of  war,  but  ignorant  and  credulous*. 
He  was  lured  to  Florida  by  tales  of  a  miraculous  foun- 
tain of  youth  somewhere  within  its  borders. 

He  sailed  from  Porto  Rico  March  13th  and  on  the  6th 
of  April  discovered  a  fair  land  to  which,  from  the  abun- 
dance of  flowers  found  in  its  forests  and  the  day  upon 
which  he  discovered  it,  Easter  Sunday,  or  as  the  Span- 
iards call  it  Pascua  Florida,  he  gave  the  name  it  still 
bears.  It  is  not  certain  at  what  place  he  first  landed  but 
on  the  12th  of  April  lie  landed  in  the  vicinity  where  St. 
Augustine  now  stands,  and  taking  formal  possession  of 
the  country  for  Spain,  proceeded  to  explore  its  coast.  It 
is  needless  to  say  that  he  failed  to  find  both  youth  and 
gold,  and  that  on  his  second  expedition  a  few  years  later 
his  little  army  was  broken  up  in  warring  with  the  natives 
and  he  himself  was  mortally  wounded. 

The  expeditions  of  Pamphilo  de  Narvaez  in  1528  and 
Ferdinand  de  Soto  in  1539,  the  latter  of  which  landed  at 
Tampa,  in  the  end  shared  the  same  fate;  Narvaez 
drowning  with  the  bulk  of  liis  followers  in  the  Gulf  of 
Mexico  and  De  Soto  dying  on  the  banks  of  the  Mississ- 
ippi. 

These  expeditions  were  more  marauding  and  plun- 


dering  expeditiohB  than  anything  .else,  resulting  in  little 
good  except  to  add  to  geographical  knowledge. 

The  first  attempt  at  practical,  permanent  coloni- 
zation, was  made  by  Admiral  Coligny  of  France,  who 
■  Bought  to  provide  a  refuge  for  the  French  Huguenots  in 
Florida.  In  1662  he  sent  out  under  Jean  Ribault  and 
Rene  Laudonniere  two  vessels  with  colonists  and  sup- 
plies. They  first  sighted  land  near  Mosquito  Inlet  and 
coasting  northward  discovered  the  mouth  of  the  St. 
Johns,  wiiich  they  called  the  River  of  May.  ''  He  was 
met  on  its  shores  by  many  of  the  native  men  and  women. 
These  received  him  with  gentleness  and  peace."  They 
made  orations  to  each  other  which  neither  understood 
except  their  kindly  import  and  exchanged  presents.  The 
genial,  kindly  Frenchmen  were  greeted  everywhere  with 
"  grace  and  gentleness  by  a  goodly  people  of  lively  wit 
and  fine  stature." 

Sometimes  when  the  Huguenots  landed  first,  the 
natives  fled  to  their  coverts  but  were  soon  coaxed  back 
by  them  and  ''persuaded  finally  to  confidence."  The 
native  Floridians  "  brought  forward  gifts  of  maize,  palm 
baskets  of  fruit  and  flowers  and  dressed  skins  of  bear 
and  deer." 

Laudonniere  speaks  of  the  "  odorous  flowers,  the  fish 
Hwarming  in  the  streams,  the  game  in  the  forests,  the 
gardens  and  villages  of  pleasant,  peaceable  people." 

However,  this  expedition  made  no  attempt  at  coloni- 
zation within  the  present  limits  of  Florida.  This  was 
not  done  until  1604,  when  a  settlement  was  established 
on  the  St.  Johns  near  its  mouth  and  left  in  charge  of 
Laudonniere.  The  bloody  tale  of  its  destruction  by 
Melendez  in  1666  is  one  of  the  many  black  pages  of  Span- 
ish history. 


PART  I. 

THE   HISTORY   OF   IT. 


Story  of  the  Huguenots. 


CHAPTER  I. 

FOUNDING  OF  LA  OAROLINE. 

The  first  expedition  of  Ribault  and  Laudonniere  in 
1562  established  no  colony  within  the  limits  of  Florida. 
It  however  attempted  a  settlement  at  Port  Royal  in 
South  Carolina  which  was  abandoned  in  1563,  the  colo- 
nists building  a  rude  brigantine  in  which  they  attempted 
to  return  to  France.  They  nearly  perished  by  famine 
but  were  picked  up  by  an  English  vessel  and  taken  home. 

lu  1564,  through  the  influence  of  the  great  Admiral 
of  France,  Coligny,  a  second  expedition  was  fitted  out  of 
three  ships  and  the  new  armament  was  assigned  to  the 
command  of  Laudonniere,  a  man  of  intelligence,  a  good 
seaman  rather  than  a  soldier.  He  found  it  easy  enough 
not  only  to  procure  sailors  for  his  shij)s  but  settlers  for 
the  proposed  colony. 

He  and  those  witli  him  on  the  former  expedition 
were  able  to  testif  j''  truly  to  the  ''  wonderful  beauty  of 
the  country,  the  sweetness  of  the  climate,  the  richness 
and  variety  of  its  fruits  and  flowers,  the  game  in  its  for- 
ests, the  multitudes  of  fine  fish  in  its  waters."  Many 
still  believed  in  De  Leon's  fountain  of  youth,  in  the 
dreams  of  rich  cities  and  mines  of  gold  and  silver  hid- 
den somewhere  in  its  boundaries,  that  animated  De  Soto. 

It  did  not  matter  that  heretofore  death  had  kept  the 
portals  of  the  country.    They  were  men  who  had  defied 


41;/;  vf^'rw 


rjCiPKJf DA'.  HISTORICAL  TALES. 


him  in  the  many  battle  fields  of  the  civil  wars  which 
had  raged  in  France  for  years.  Not  only  did  many  sol- 
diers volunteer,  but  workers  and  artisans  in  abundance. 

The  passion  for  adventure,  exploration  and  conquest 
had  been  raised  to  the  highest  pitch  in  the  military  class 
by  the  exploits  of  Cortez,  Pizarro,  Balboa  and  those  of 
De  Leon  and  De  Soto,  unfortunate  as  they  were;  while 
to  the  oppressed  artisans  and  peasantry  of  Europe  the 
new  fertile  lands,  unbounded  in  extent  and  virgin,  with 
the  promise  of  a  freedom  not  possible  at  home  had  great 
attraction.  In  fact  far  more  volunteers  presented  them- 
selves than  could  be  accommodated  and  on  the  22nd  of 
April,  1664,  the  expedition  sailed  from  France  in  high 
hopes  and  expectations. 

A  voyage  of  two  months  brought  them  to  the  shores 
of  Florida,  June  25th,  near  the  same  latitude  as  on  the 
former  expedition.  The  delight  of  the  voyagers  may  be 
imagined  when,  on  entering  the  River  May,  the  San 
Mateo  of  the  Spaniards,  the  St.  Johns  of  the  present 
day,  they  found  themselves  warmly  welcomed  by  the 
natives,  especially  those  who  were  recognized  as  former 
visitors  with  Ribault.  It  was  at  a  period  of  the  year  for 
seeing  the  country  in  its  greatest  loveliness.  The  noble 
river,  capacious  enough  for  all  the  French  navy  to  anchor 
in,  the  beautiful  wooded  shores  lined  with  silvery 
beaches,  the  genial  temperature  combined  with  the 
kindly  welcome  given,  raised  their  spirits  to  the  highest 
pitch. 

When  they  landed,  they  were  conducted  by  a  large 
concourse  of  natives,  with  great  ceremonials,  to  the  spot 
where  Ribault  had  set  up  a  stone  column  carved  with 
the  arms  of  France  "  upon  a  little  sandy  kuappe,  not  far 


STORY  OF  THE  HUOlfPi^rb^g.  ,  \    )  \     13 


from  the  mouth  of  said  river."  With  pJeftBod  purprisf*,. 
Laudonniere  found  the  pillar  enc'Tcled  and  covered  wlili 
wreaths  of  flowers  and  around  its  base  were  set  little 
baskets  of  maize,  beans  and  other  products  brought  in 
great  abundance  as  gifts  to  their  visitors. 

"  The  Indians  kissed  the  column  which  they  had  con- 
secrated in  memory  of  former  friendship  and  made  the 
French  do  likewise."  Their  Chief  presented  Laudon- 
niere with  a  "  wedge  of  silver,"  a  gift  that  led  the  French- 
men to  dream  of  great  riches  to  be  found  somewhere  in 
the  land.  Naturally  they  associated  gold  with  silver 
and  were  assured  that  both  were  to  be  found  amongst 
their  enemies,  the  boundaries  of  whose  territory  came  to 
the  River  May  and  extended  far  northward  to  a  high 
mountain  region. 

It  is  evident  from  the  narrative  that  the  natives  who 
were  first  met  by  the  Frenchmen  were  the  original  inhab- 
itants of  the  land ;  that  they  were  a  gentler  race  than 
those  living  to  the  northward  and  that  the  latter  in  time 
being  more  warlike  eventually  drove  them  southward, 
finally  either  exterminating  them  or  absorbing  the 
broken  fragments  into  their  own  body. 

Laudonniere  sailed  up  the  river  and  was  everywhere 
received  with  kindness.  They  mutually  called  each 
other  "friends  and  brothers."  He  then  coasted  north- 
ward almost  to  Port  Royal  or  Fort  Charles. 

Laudonniere  returned  with  his  vessels  from  this  cruise 
to  the  River  May  the  latter  part  of  June,  1564,  having 
abandoned  the  idea  of  re-establishing  the  settlement  at 
Fort  Charles,  of  the  fate  of  which  the  Indians  had  in- 
formed him,  with  the  determination  to  found  his  Hugue- 
not colony  in  the  neighborhood  of  the  beautiful  river 


14       •   '•'  •  ii^.dl«fDA.  PISTORIOAL  TALES. 


'^kh'v'hitfii''lie  r$^d  ^^pm^  acquainted  on  the  previous 
voyage. 

The  reasons  for  this  preference  are  given  in  liis  own 
language,  abbreviating  and  modernizing  somewhat: 

''  If  we  passed  farther  to  the  north  to  seek  out  Port 
Royal  it  would  be  neither  profitable  nor  convenient, 
although  that  haven  is  one  of  the  fairest  of  the  West 
Indies.  In  this  case  the  cxuestion  is  not  so  much  the 
beautj'^  of  the  place  as  of  the  things  necessary  to  sustain 
life.  For  our  inhabitation  it  is  much  more  needful  for 
us  to  plant  in  places  plentiful  of  victual  than  goodly 
havens,  fair,  deep  and  pleasant  to  the  view.  In  consid- 
eration whereof  I  am  of  opinion,  if  it  seems  good  to  the 
company,  to  seat  ourselves  about  the  River  of  May,  see- 
ing that  in  our  first  voyage  we  found  the  same  only  to 
abound  in  maize  and  other  corn."  The  wedge  of  silver 
presented  to  him  on  his  former  visit  and  a  few  orna- 
ments of  gold  doubtless  were  tlie  conclusive  suggestions. 

Anchoring  at  the  mouth  of  the  river,  which,  from 
the  scanty  description  left  in  tlie  old  chronicles,  although 
contended  by  some  to  be  the  St.  Mary's  conforms  more 
to  the  St.  Johns,  Laudonniere  took  his  pinnace  and  a 
number  of  the  proposed  colonists  and  sailed  into  it  in 
search  of  a  place  for  settlement.  The  result  was  the 
selection  of  a  bluff  on  the  south  side  of  the  river,  evi- 
dently not  far  from  its  mouth,  covered  with  a  tliick  and 
high  wood  and  close  to  wliat  he  calls  ''■  a  great  vale.  In 
form  flat,  wherein  were  the  finest  njeadows  of  the  world 
and  grass  to  feed  cattle,  with  brooks  of  fresh  water  and 
high  woods  whicli  made  the  vale  delectable  to  the  eyes." 
This  he  called  the  vale  of  Laudonniere. 

On  this  bluff  at  the  break  of  day  on  the  30th  of  June, 

# 


STORY  OF  THE  HUGUENOTS. 


1564,  the  trumpets  were  sounded   and  the  Huguenots 

were  called  to  prayer,  and  so,  long-  prior  to  the  landing" 
of  the  Pilgrim  fathers  at  Plymouth  was  celebrated  tlie 
Protestant  worship  within  the  present  limits  of  Florida. 

After  this  they  applied  themselves  diligently  to  the 
erection  of  a  fortress,  triangular  in  shape,  the  landward 
side  built  of  fagots,  sand  and  turf,  with  a  ditch,  and  th© 
river  side  a  palisade  of  planks  or  lieavy  timbers.  Within 
it  were  built  barracks,  a  liouse  for  the  commandant,  an 
arsenal,  presumably  of  logs  from  the  adjacent  forests 
and  thatched  with  palmetto  leaves. 

In  the  neighborhood  of  the  fort  there  were  rich  spots 
which  afforded  facilities  for  gardening,  but  so  eager  was 
Laudonniere  to  find  gold  and  silver — an  eagerness  that 
was  shared  by  all  the  company — that  leaving  only  a  few 
to  guard  the  fort  he  commenced  the  exploration  of  the 
country,  leading  or  sending  out  expeditions  in  various 
directions  in  search  of  tlie  precious  metals,  some  of  whicii 
covered  a  large  portion  of  Florida,  Georgia  and  even 
South  Carolina.  If  the  narrative  is  to  be  credited,  plates 
of  gold  and  silver  were  secured  from  the  native  tribes  to 
the  northward  in  sufficient  quantities  to  keep  the  colo- 
nists employed  in  this  pursuit  to  tlie  neglect  of  every 
other.  For  many  montlis  he  and  his  lieutenants  Ottignj^ 
D'Erlach,  LeGenre  and  Captain  Vasseur,  pushed  their 
gold  and  silver  seeking  expeditions,  frequently  involving 
conflicts  with  tlie  Indians,  more  especially  with  the  war- 
like confederacy,  whose  territories  stretched  from  the 
Appalachian  mountains  southward  to  the  borders  of  the 
River  May,  whom  they  called  *Thimogoans. 

According  to  the  tales  of  River  May  Indians  the 
Thimogoan  warriors  covered  their  breasts  and  foreheads 
■3 


18  iriiOBIDA  HISTORICAL  TALES. 

with  plates  of  gold  and  silver  and  it  is  probable  that 
inhabitating  a  country  in  which  both  metals  have  since 
been  found,  there  was  some  foundation  for  these  state- 
ments which  were,  however,  much  exaggerated.  It  in 
said  that  Chevalier  D'Erlach  returned  from  one  of  the 
most  successful  of  these  expeditions  with  no  inconsider- 
able spoils  of  gold,  silver,  painted  skins  and  other  Indian 
commodities. 

These  expeditions,  however,  by  no  means  compen- 
sated in  their  results  for  the  evils  the  Huguenots  were 
bringing  on  themselves  in  neglecting  their  settlement  at 
La  Caroline,  the  cultivation  of  the  natural  resources  of 
the  country,  and  were  preparing  the  way  for  the  terrible 
calamity  which  fell  upon  it. 

(♦Query — Was  this  not  the  name  from  which  Tomoka 
is  derived  for  in  the  wars  which  were  prosecuted  after 
this  date  these  northern  Indians  succeeded  in  driving 
still  farther  southward  the  weaker  and  more  peaceable 
coast  tribe,  until  they  occupied  the  neighborhood  of  tlie 
Tomoka  and  were  long  known  by  that  name,  to  the  time 
when  they  too  were  finally  driven  out  by  the  Spainiards 
and  English  and  plantations  established  where  once  were 
their  populous  villages.) 


STORY  OF  THE  HUGUENOTS.  17 


CHAPTER  II. 

FAMINE  OOMES— BATTLE  WITH  THE  INDIANS. 

During  many  months  but  little  improvement  was 
made  by  the  colonists  of  La  Caroline  in  the  way  of  util- 
izing the  fertility  of  the  soil  in  the  production  of  food  or 
even  in  strengthening  the  defences.  As  the  winter 
passed  away  in  constant  expeditions  after  precious  met- 
als their  stores  rapidly  decreased.  They  expected  a 
renewal  of  supplies  and  an  increase  to  their  numbers 
through  the  arrival  of  Ribault  from  France  with  a  fleet 
of  vessels  which,  through  Admiral  Coligny's  aid  he  was 
to  fit  out.  But  they  watched  long  in  vain.  The  expedi- 
tion was  delayed  by  troubles  in  France  and  in  the  mean- 
time a  famine  came  upon  the  Huguenots,  greatly  as  a 
result  of  their  own  recklessness. 

In  May,  Laudonniere  himself  describes  their  straits 
as  very  desperate : 

'^  We  were  constrained  to  eat  roots,  which  the  most 
part  of  our  men  pounded  in  the  mortars  which  I  had 
brought  with  me  to  beat  gunpowder  in,  and  the  grain 
which  came  from  other  places.  Some  took  the  wood  of 
esquine  (probably  cabbage  palmetto)  beat  it  and  made 
meal  thereof  which  they  boiled  and  ate.  Others  went 
with  their  arquebuses  to  kill  fowl,"  and  so  on  with  a 
pathetic  description  of  the  weakness  and  sickness 
brought  on  by  famine,  finishing  with  reciting  how  the 
colonists  not  being  able  to  work  "  did  nothing  but  goe  one 
after  another,  as  centinals,  unto  the  cliffe  of  a  hill  very 


18  FLORIDA  HISTORICAL  TALES. 

near  unto  the  fort,  to  see  if  they  might  discover  any 
French  ship." 

Finally  their  hopes  deferred  making  them  heart  sick 
they  pressed  their  commander  to  attempt  the  building  of 
a  vessel  which,  with  the  small  one  they  had,  would 
enable  them  to  sail  back  to  France. 

There  were  good  shipwrights  among  them  and  to 
these  Laudonniere  deputed  the  task  of  building  the  new 
vessel  while  he  undertook  to  scour  the  coast  for  provis- 
ions of  any  kind  that  might  be  found,  but  the  expedi- 
tions which  had  traversed  the  neighboring  territory  had 
weakened  the  friendship  and  confidence  of  the  natives 
with  whom  also  at  that  time  of  the  year  there  was  no 
superfluous  stock  of  provisions  left. 

Laudonniere  returned  unsuccessful  from  a  coastwise 
voyage  of  forty  to  fifty  leagues  and  the  colonists,  now 
desperate  with  hunger,  riotously  insisted  that  the  only 
way  to  extort  food  from  the  savages  was  to  seize  upon 
the  person  of  one  of  their  kings  and  secure  it  as  ransom. 
To  this  at  first  their  commander  would  not  consent.  He 
proposed  a  trial  of  the  friendship  of  the  natives  and  sent 
messages  to  open  up  traffic  for  food  with  the  surrounding 
tribes.  But  the  Indians  knew  the  urgency  of  the  case 
and  proposed  to  turn  it  to  account.  Tliey  came  to  the 
garrison  with  small  amounts  of  food  for  which  they 
asked  enormous  prices.  When  Laudonniere  remon- 
strated, they  tauntingly  answered: 

"  If  thou  make  such  great  account  of  thy  merchan- 
dise, let  it  stay  thy  hunger.  Eat  it  and  we  will  eat  our 
grain." 

In  the  end  and  goaded  beyond  endurance  Laudon- 
niere resolved  on  doing  as  his  people  counseled. 


STORY  OF  THE   HUGUENOTS.  19 


Two  of  his  barks  and  a  body  of  fifty  men  were  chosen 
for  an  expedition  to  the  capital  town  of  the  chief,  who 
ruled  a  large  contiguous  territory.  This  was  forty  or 
fifty  leagues  up  the  river  and  six  or  more  leagues  iqland. 
One  of  his  officers,  D'Erlach,  had  been  there  before  and 
knew  the  way. 

They  made  the  voyage  successfully  to  the  point  of 
debarkation ;  left  a  guard  in  their  vessels  and  marching 
inland  succeeded  in  taking  the  Indian  village  by  sur- 
prise. They,  however,  made  no  hostile  demonstration 
on  entering  the  village,  Laudohniere  still  hoping  to 
obtain  peacefully  what  he  needed,  and  so  parleyed  with 
the  chief.  But  while  the  chief  did  not  hesitate  to  supply 
the  immediate  wants  of  the  Frenchmen,  he  declined  to 
furnish  any  considerable  amount  of  provisions.  In  fact 
he  argued  that  they  were  in  a  great  measure  responsible 
themselves  for  their  destitute  condition.  He  said: 
"Hath  the  Great  Spirit  commanded  that  the  red  man 
shall  gather  food  in  the  proper  season  that  the  white  man 
may  sleep  like  the  drowsy  deer  in  the  palmetto  thicket?" 

It  was  true,  but  it  was  also  true  that  their  wants 
admitted  of  no  denial;  and  after  a  vain  attempt  to  barter 
for  food  Laudonniere  gave  the  signal  to  seize  the  chief 
which  was  promptly  done. 

Then  a  war  conch  was  sounded  to  rally  the  Indian 
warriors  which  was  answered  by  D'Erlach 's  bugler  call- 
ing in  the  stragglers  scattered  through  the  village  in 
quest  of  food  and  the  retreat  to  the  riverside  began. 

The  capture  of  the  Chief  Olata  Utina  was  so  unex- 
pected and  the  retreat  to  the  river  so  rapidly  and  skill- 
fully executed  that  no  chance  was  given  the  Indians  to 
rally  in  sufficient  force  to  prevent  it. 


20  FLORIDA  HISTORIOAL  TALES. 


It  was,  however,  Laudonniere's  intent  to  treat  with 
them  for  food  and  not  to  engage  in  any  hostile  contest 
if  it  could  be  avoided,  and  so  he  opened  a  parley  with  the 
savages  assembled  on  the  banks  of  the  river,  proposing 
to  release  the  chief  upon  their  delivering  a  certain  quan- 
tity of  maize,  beans,  dried  venison,  etc.  But  the  Indians 
were  suspicious,  believing  that  the  Frenchmen,  after 
obtaining  what  they  desired  would  not  release  him ;  and 
after  fruitless  attempts  to  obtain  provisions  with  but  a 
small  quantity  that  had  been  obtained  in  the  village,  the 
expedition  returned  to  La  Caroline,  taking  also  the  chief, 
who  was  treated  kindly  but  kept  in  confinement,  which 
was  very  irksome  to  him. 

By  dint  of  plundering  the  villages  of  some  Indian 
tribes  that  had  been  guilty  of  unfriendly  and  hostile  acts, 
fishing  and  hunting,  the  people  of  La  Caroline  managed 
to  maintain  life  in  a  meagre  fashion.  Finally  the  old 
chief  proposed  that  they  take  him  back  to  his  people  and 
permit  him  to  use  his  influence  with  them,  telling  his 
captors  the  maize  was  then  about  ripe  and  promising  to 
use  his  best  efforts  in  behalf  of  the  Frenchmen.  So  the 
two  little  barks  again  sailed  up  the  river. 

Long  before  they  came  to  anchor  at  the  landing, 
Olata  XJtina's  people  gathered  in  great  numbers,  hardly 
knowing  what  to  expect.  Negotiations  were  opened  by 
Laudonniere,  who  informed  them  that  he  was  willing  to 
release  their  chief  to  them  for  a  quantity  of  provisions 
which  to  the  Frenchmen  seemed  small,  but  to  the  Indi- 
ans was  a  heavy  ransom.  It  would  sweep  their  little 
fields  and  granaries  bare,  even  taking  the  very  seed  nec- 
essary for  future  harvests.  Their  love  for  their  chief  was 
not  small,  but  it  was  of  the  last  importance  to  free  him 


STORY  OF  THE   HUGUENOTS.  21 


without  subjecting  themselves  to  risk  of  famine.  So  they 
exercised  all  their  arts  of  stratagem  and  diplomacy  to 
secure  that  end  without  paying  too  dearly.  They  brought 
considerable  supplies  of  food  which  they  gave  to  the 
Frenchmen^  but  no  definite  end  was  reached  for  several 
days  during  which  many  hundreds  of  warriors  gathered 
in  the  vicinity.  But  Laudonniere  was  vigilant  and  find- 
ing that  attempts  to  rescue  the  chief  or  to  capture  Lau- 
donniere himself  so  that  they  might  exchange  chief  for 
chief,  could  not  be  made  successful,  an  agreement  was 
finally  entered  into  by  which  Olata  Utina  was  to  be 
freed,  two  chiefs  agreeing  to  become  hostages  for  the 
delivery  of  the  ransom,  which  the  Indians  were  to  gather 
in  from  all  the  tribal  villages  within  a  certain  time. 

The  chronicle  gives  a  brief  description  of  the  scene  at 
the  restoration  of  the  chief  to  his  people ;  "  The  two  war- 
rior hostages  came  on  board  the  bark  and  as  they 
approached  their  chief  broke  their  bows  and  arrows  in 
token  of  surrender.  Then  as  they  beheld  his  bonds,  they 
knelt  at  his  feet,  lifted  up  his  chains  and  kissed  them, 
nor  did  they  show  any  repugnance  to  assuming  the  fet- 
ters as  they  were  loosened  from  Olata  Utina,  looking 
upon  him  with  delight  as  he  was  being  freed." 

The  chief  arose  from  his  place  and  shook  himself  like 
a  lion  rousing  from  sleep.  Never  was  head  more  erect 
or  form  more  stately.  He  waved  his  hand  to  the  shore 
where  his  people  were  gathered.  The  signal  was  evi- 
dently understood  for  one  of  his  sons  came  out  in  a  canoe 
bringing  a  mantle  of  fringed  and  gorgeously  dyed  grass 
cloth,  his  macana  or  war  club,  and  a  mighty  bow  with 
arrows  five  feet  long. 

Throwing  the  mantle  over  his  shoulders,  he  took  the 


22  FLORIDA  HISTORICAL  TALES. 


bow  and,  before  he  left  the  vessel  fitted  an  arrow  to  it, 
letting  it  fly  out  of  sight  into  the  air  as  a  signal  that  he 
was  once  more  free.  A  cloud  of  arrows  from  the  shore 
followed  that  of  their  sovereign  and  wild  shouts  echoed 
far  across  the  broad  river. 

The  liberated  chief  had  agreed  to  the  terms  of  the 
Frenchmen,  but  stipulated  he  should  have  a  certain 
number  of  days  in  which  to  gather  the  supplies.  Lau- 
donniere  left  his  lieutenants  with  a  strong  detachment  of 
soldiers,  one  of  the  barks  and  the  two  hostages  to  await 
the  issue  while  he  returned  to  La  Caroline. 

The  upshot  of  the  whole  business  was  that  after  two 
or  three  days  of  waiting,  word  was  sent  to  them  that  they 
must  bring  their  hostages  to  the  village  and  there  receive 
the  ransom.  Olata  had  found  it  impossible  to  compel  his 
people  to  promptly  comply  with  the  stipulations.  They 
absolutely  refused  to  bring  any  supplies  down  to  the 
river.  He,  however,  was  honorably  disposed  to  keep  his 
word  and  thought  their  presence  in  the  capital  town 
would  have  the  effect  to  make  the  people  act  more 
promptly. 

So  they  marched  on  the  town,  keeping  their  arque- 
buses loaded  with  the  matches  burning  ready  to  repel 
any  attack  that  might  be  made  upon  them.  They  reached 
the  village  in  safety  although  the  woods  swarmed  with 
warriors  who  were  apparently  only  kept  at  bay  by  fear  of 
the  deadly  fire  arms  and  the  vigilance  of  the  Frenchmen. 

The  dwelling  house  and  council  chamber  of  Olata 
Utina  was  on  an ''  artificial  eminence,"  probably  a  mound 
such  as  are  still  to  be  found  in  all  parts  of  Florida.  Here 
they  found  assembled  all  the  chiefs  of  the  nation  except 
their  former  prisoner.    To  a  certain  extent  his  authority 


STORY  OF  THE   HUGUENOTS.  23 


to  treat  with  the  Frenchmen  was  usurped  by  these  chiefs, 
who  were  evidently  determined  to  deal  with  the  invaders 
themselves,  using  craft  and  dissimulation  to  throw  them 
off  their  guard  and  then  seize  the  first  opportunity  to 
overpower  them.  But  D'Erlach  and  Ottigny  were  exper- 
ienced in  savage  habits  and  were  not  to  be  deceived  by 
the  apparently  friendly  reception  given  them. 

The  Indians  pointed  to  the  sacks  of  meal  and  beans 
piled  up  on  the  council  floor  and  showed  the  Frenchmen 
others  being  newly  brought  in.  Then  commenced  a  pal- 
aver designed  to  allay  suspicions,  but  which  had  the 
contrary  effect.  At  nightfall  a  private  conference  was 
held  with  Olata  Utina.  He  informed  them  that  his  anx- 
iety to  comply  with  his  engagements  had  impaired  his 
authority ;  that  the  chief  warriors  had  resolved  to  destroy 
the  pale  faces  as  invaders,  consumers  of  their  substance 
and  destroyers  of  their  peace.  He  advised  them  to 
retreat  to  their  vessel  and  La  Caroline  with  all  haste,  for 
from  all  quarters  were  gathering  the  warriors  and  there 
were  only  pretences  made  to  carry  out  the  treaty. 

The  despondency  of  the  chief  was  without  hypocrisy. 
His  warnings  were  sincere.  But  the  necessity  of  secur- 
ing all  the  supplies  they  could  prompted  the  Frenchmen 
to  tarry  the  full  period  of  four  days  and  in  the  meantime 
they  urged  on  the  accumulation. 

Finally,  seeing  that  no  more  was  being  brought  in 
they  released  their  hostages  and  on  the  morning  of  July 
27th  prepared  for  the  retreat  to  their  bark.  Each 
soldier  was  required  to  load  himself  with  as  much  pro- 
visions as  he  could  carry,  the  chiefs  having  flatly  refused 
to  furnish  any  carriers  and  for  the  last  time  in  this  region 
the  French  bugles  blew  the  signal  of  marching. 


24  FLORIDA  HISTORICAL  TALES. 

BATTLE  OP  TAGASETA. 

Not  far  did  they  go,  however,  before  the  battle  they 
anticipated  began.  The  woods  swarmed  with  warriors 
armed  with  stone  hatchets,  war  clubs  and  bows.  But 
they  had  learned  a  wholesome  respect  for  the  arquebuses 
or  matchlocks  of  the  French  and  so  their  volleys  of 
arrows  were  delivered  at  too  great  a  distance  to  do  much 
damage.  However,  as  the  road  lay  through  hammock 
belts  where  the  timber  was  thick  it  was  soon  found  nec- 
essary to  send  out  flanking  parties  to  drive  the  Indians 
from  their  coverts  and  to  disencumber  themselves  of 
their  burdens  of  provisions  so  that  they  could  more  effect- 
ively handle  their  weapons.  Seeing  their  enemies  halt 
for  this  purpose,  and  mistaking  it  for  a  sign  of  fear,  the 
Indians  advanced  closer,  filling  the  woods  with  their 
yells,  and  delivered  a  volley  of  arrows  that  fell  among 
the  little  squadron.  Their  steel  caps  and  leather  doub- 
lets, however,  proved  excellent  defences  against  the  flint 
and  bone  headed  shafts  and  D'Erlach  said  to  his  men: 
"  Do  not  answere  them  yet,  but  stoop  ye  every  man  and 
break  as  many  arrows  as  ye  can.  Blow  your  matches  as 
ye  do  so  and  when  they  come  close  let  the  first  rank 
deliver  fire."  He  had  observed  that  the  enemy  gathered 
up  the  arrows  as  they  passed  and  used  them  again. 

The  command  was  obeyed  with  coolness  by  the 
arquebusiers  and  the  result  was  when  the  savages  made 
a  concerted  rush  they  were  met  with  a  volley  of  bullets 
which  killed  many  and  momentarily  scattered  the  rest. 
New  bands  of  savages,  however,  constantly  appeared  to 
harass  the  retreat  and  the  whole  day  long  the  battle 
waged.  The  Frenchmen  were  compelled  to  economize 
their  ammunition  and  forebore  to  shoot  except  when  it 


STORY  OP  THE   HUGUENOTS.  25 

was  absolutely  necessary.  But  the  courage  of  the  red 
men  increased  as  the  battle  spirit  warmed  up  and  they 
bravely  contested  every  foot  of  the  way,  even  though 
their  weapons  and  military  skill  were  deficient.  Great 
havoc  was  made  among  them,  but  never  men  fought 
more  bravely  than  they  did.  It  is  written  of  them,  in 
Laudonniere's  quaint  record,  "  All  the  while  they  had 
their  eye  and  foot  so  quick  and  readie,  that  as  soon  as 
ever  they  saw  tlie  harquebuse  raised  to  the  cheek,  so 
soon  were  they  on  the  ground,  eftsoone  to  answere  with 
their  bowes  and  to  flie  away  when  we  were  about  to  take 
them." 

The  conflict  ceased  at  nightfall  when  weary  and  ex- 
hausted the  Frenchmen,  of  whom  twenty -four  were  killed 
and  wounded,  chiefly  the  latter,  reached  their  boats.  The 
Floridians  had  shown  themselves  warriors  of  spirit  and 
capacity.  They  had  driven  out  the  invaders,  recovered 
the  booty,  rescued  the  hostages  and  if  they  had  lost  seri- 
ously so  had  their  enemies.  Reading  the  chronicle  one 
is  reminded  that  for  more  than  two  centuries  they  with 
the  same  indomitable  spirit  kept  Spain  and  England  at 
bay  and  finally  only  yielded  after  a  heroic  struggle,  to 
soldiers  forest  born,  like  themselves,  the  best  riflemen  of 
the  south  led  by  Jackson,  Taylor  and  Harney. 


26  FLORIDA   HISTORICAL  TALES. 


CHAPTER  III. 

ARRIVAL  OF  SIR  JOHN   HAWKINS    AND  RETURN  OF   RI- 
BAULT. 

After  all  the  toil  and  sacrifice  of  several  brave  men, 
it  was  found  to  be  impossible  to  supply  the  colonists  of 
La  Caroline  sufficiently  to  put  them  in  good  condition  or 
good  heart.  Indeed  the  home  sickness  under  which  they 
labored  had  reached  such  a  height  as  to  admit  of  no  ap- 
peal or  argument.  Cruel  as  France  had  been  to  the 
Huguenots,  she  was  yet  France  and  the  memory  of  her 
green  vales  and  vine  clad  hills  was  not  to  be  replaced  by 
the. glorious  beauty,  even  in  its  savagery,  of  the  shores  of 
the  River  May. 

Their  discontents  grew  into  a  passionate  longing  for 
return  and  when  it  was  found  that  the  building  of  the 
vessel  which  had  been  commenced  for  that  purpose 
would  be  delayed  by  the  death  in  battle  of  two  of  the 
carpenters,  they  mutinously  set  upon  Jean  De  Hais,  the 
master  carpenter,  because  he  had  declared  it  would  be 
impossible  to  complete  it  by  the  specified  time  and  it 
was  with  difficulty  he  was  saved  from  the  mob. 

There  was  still  left  of  the  original  vessels  which 
brought  them  an  old  brigantine  and  Laudonniere  finding 
he  was  compelled  to  give  up  the  original  design  of  build- 
ing a  new  vessel  addressed  all  of  his  energies  to  its  repair. 
Determined  to  leave  nothing  behind  when  they  were 
ready  to  depart  his  men  tore  down  the  houses  which  had 
been  erected  outside  of  the  fort  to  make  coal  for  the  forge 


STORY  OF  THE    HUGUENOTS.  27 

and  also  the  palisades  leading  from  the  fort  to  the  river, 
thus  greatly  weakening  their  defences,  in  spite  of  their 
governor's  objections. 

Laudonniere  was  indeed  very  loath  to  give  up  the 
colony  he  had  done  so  much  to  establish.  It  distressed 
him  greatly  that  the  promise  of  succor  from  France 
expected  with  the  return  of  Bibault  was  delayed  so  long. 

On  the  afternoon  of  the  third  of  August,  Laudonniere 
took  a  walk  as  was  his  daily  custom  to  the  top  of  a  little 
eminence,  near  the  fort,  which  offered  a  prospect  of  the 
sea.  Looking  forth  to  the  eastward  over  the  vast  watery 
waste,  he  was  greatly  excited  to  see  the  sails  of  four 
approaching  vessels.  The  joy  of  the  garrison  was  great 
for  they  naturally  supposed  Ribault  was  coming.  Lau- 
donniere writes  quaintly:  ''Soe  great  was  their  glad- 
ness at  this  that  one  would  have  believed  them  to  be  out 
of  their  wittes,  to  see  them  laugh  and  leap." 

But  the  ships,  instead  of  sailing  boldly  in  as  Ribault 
should  have  done,  approached  cautiously.  Finally  they 
cast  anchor  and  sent  out  a  boat  toward  the  shore.  A 
prudent  fear  of  the  Spaniards  prompted  Laudonniere  to 
call  the  garrison  to  arms  and  send  a  detachment  to  meet 
the  visitors  at  the  river  side.  They  hailed  in  French  and 
in  the  same  language  came  the  reply,  stating  that  the 
ships  were  those  of  the  famous  Admiral  Hawkins  on  an 
exploring  expedition.  With  him  was  Martin  Atinas  of 
Dieppe,  one  of  the  former  colonists  of  deserted  Fort 
Charles,  picked  up  at  sea  and  carried  to  Europe,  who  had 
X)iloted  the  squadron. 

The  object  of  the  British  Admiral  was  pacific,  nor 
was  it  long  before  his  generous  and  noble  conduct  won 
the  hearts  of  the  Huguenots.     He  saw  their  distressful 


FLORIDA   HISTORICAL  TALES. 


plight  and  gave  them  liberal  supplies  of  wine  and  provis- 
ions. With  even  greater  liberality  and  a  wise  policy^ 
seeing  their  discontent,  he  offered  to  transport  the  whole 
colony  to  France.  But  Laudonniere  was  still  hoping  for 
the  return  of  Ribault  and  a  surer  foundation  for  the  col- 
ony, so  declined  the  proposition  which  had  been  made  to 
him  only  as  a  commanding  officer.  However,  to  make 
sure  of  the  means  to  return  if  pressed  to  it,  he  bargained 
with  Hawkins  for  one  of  his  vessels.  The  consideration 
given  by  Laudonniere  was  a  portion  of  the  military  fur- 
niture of  the  fort,  particularly  described  as  ''  Two  bas- 
tards, two  mynions,  one  thousand  iron  balls  and  one 
thousand  pounds  of  powder,  etc." 

Moved  with  pity  for  the  wretched  condition  of  the 
Frenchmen,  the  generous  Englishman  offered  supplies 
for  which  he  accepted  Laudonniere 's  bills  which  the  lat- 
ter's  subsequent  misfortunes  never  permitted  him  to  can- 
cel. These  supplies  included  ''  twenty  barrels  of  meal, 
six  pipes  of  beanes,  one  hogshead  of  salt  and  a  hundred 
(cwt.)  of  waxe  to  make  candles.  Moreover,  forasmuch 
as  he  saw  my  souldiers  goe  barefoote  he  offered  me 
besides  fifty  paires  of  shoes  which  I  accepted.  He  did 
more  than  this:  he  bestowed  upon  myself  a  great  jar  of 
oil,  a  jar  of  vinegar,  a  barrel  of  olives,  a  great  quantity  of 
rice  and  a  barrel  of  white  biscuits.  Besides  he  gave  div- 
ers presents  to  the  principal  officers  of  my  company 
according  to  their  quality;  so  that  I  may  say  we  received 
as  many  courtesies  of  the  General  as  was  possible  to 
expect  of  any  man." 

This  visit  of  Hawkins  is  the  brightest  episode  in  the 
history  of  the  ill  fat«d  colony.  Doubtless  had  it  been  a 
little  later  or  had  he  tarried  longer  the  cruel  Spanish 


STORY  OF  THE   HUGUENOTS. 


wolf  never  would  have  bathed  his  jaws  in  Huguenot  gore 
and  certainly  with  amity  between  the  English  and 
French,  Florida  might  have  been  a  prosperous  country 
long  years  ago  and  have  been  spared  generations  of  tyr- 
anny and  degradation  such  as  curse  all  lands  overshad- 
owed by  the  flag  of  Spain.  But  it  was  not  to  be.  The 
folly  of  men,  then  as  now,  was  thrown  athwart  the  wis- 
dom of  God  and  for  a  time  turned  this  Eden  of  the  new 
world  into  a  hell  of  murder  and  rapine. 

Sir  John  Hawkins,  whose  arrival  at  La  Caroline  and 
the  noble  manner  in  which  he  treated  the  Huguenots 
has  thus  been  described,  left  on  record  many  par- 
ticulars interesting  in  themselves  and  also  as  showing 
the  primary  causes  of  the  colony's  fatal  weakness.  At 
the  close  of  the  war  mentioned  as  resulting  from  the  for- 
aging expedition  to  the  Indian  villages,  he  relates  that 
Laudonniere  had  not  forty  soldiers  left  unhurt.  After 
detailing  the  supplies  accorded  to  the  colonists  from  his 
stores,  he  adds:  "  Notwithstanding  the  great  want  that 
the  Frenchmen  had,  the  ground  doth  yield  victuals  suf- 
ficient, if  they  had  taken  the  pains  to  get  the  same ;  but 
they  being  soldiers  desired  to  live  by  the  sweat  of  other 
men's  brows."  Here  speaks  the  jealous  scorn  of  the 
sailor.  "The  ground  yleldeth  naturally  great  store  of 
grapes,  for  in  the  time  the  Frenchmen  were  there  they 
made  twenty  hogsheads  of  wine,  also"  says  Hawkins, 
'•'■  the  land  yieldeth  roots  passing  good,  deere  marvelous 
store,  with  divers  other  beasts  and  fruits  serviceable  to 
man.  These  be  things  wherewith  a  man  may  live  hav- 
ing corn  or  maize  wherewith  to  make  bread,  and  this 
maize  was  the  greatest  lack  they  had  because  they  had 
no  laborers  to  sow  the  same.    Had  they  done  so,"  he  con- 


30  FLORIDA  HISTORICAL.  TALES. 


tinues,  "they  having  victuals  of  their  own,  whereby  they 
neither  spoil  nor  rob  the  inhabitants,  may  live  not  only 
quietly  with  them  who  naturally  are  more  desirous  of 
peace  than  warre,  but  also  shall  have  abundance  of  vic- 
tuals proffered  them  for  nothing-,"  etc. 

The  testimony  of  the  Admiral  is  conclusive  as  to  the 
originally  gentle  and  peaceful  character  of  the  aboriginal 
Floridians.  He  speaks  of  the  country  as  abounding  in 
natural  resources,  equal  to  those  of  any  region  in  the 
world. 

The  account  which  Hawkins  gives  of  the  abundance 
of  fish  in  the  neighborhood  is  no  exaggeration.  It  adds 
to  the  surprise  of  the  reader  at  the  wretched  indolence  or 
incapacity  of  the  colonists,  who,  with  this  resource  at 
''  their  doores,  depended  for  their  suply  upon  the  Indi- 
ans." He  left  the  Huguenots  on  the  28th  of  July,  1565, 
making  preparations  to  follow  him.  The  biscuit  was 
made,  the  goods  and  chattels  were  taken  on  board  and 
most  of  the  water; — nothing  delayed  their  sailing  but 
head  winds.  Laudonniere  was  prepared  to  depart  when 
the  voyage  was  arrested  by  the  appearance  of  Ribault 
with  the  long  expected  supplies  from  France. 

The  approach  of  Ribault's  vessels  was  exceedingly 
cautious ;  so  much  so  that  the  heavier  guns  of  the  fort 
still  left  mounted  were  turned  to  bear  upon  them  when 
up  went  the  Fleur-de-Lis  of  France. 

The  relief  to  Laudonniere  was  great,  for  he  feared 
they  might  be  Spaniards,  and  in  the  present  weak  condi- 
tion of  the  fort,  defence  was  hopeless.  The  reasons  for 
Ribault's  caution  arose  from  certain  false  reports  which 
had  reached  France,  of  the  conduct  of  Laudonniere,  let- 
ters sent  secretly  by  malcontents   when    Ribault  had 


STORY  OF  THE  HUGUENOTS.  31 


returned  to  France,  and  fabricated  reports,  accusing  him 

of  preparing  to  shake  otf  the  sovereignty  of  the  mother 
country  and  designing  to  set  himself  up  as  the  sovereign 
lord  of  Florida.  Poor  Laudonniere,  living  on  snakes, 
crude  berries  and  bitter  roots,  mocked  by  savages  on  one 
'hand,  flouted  by  rebels  defying  his  authority,  the  target 
of  the  curses  of  the  discontented  and  home  sick,  surely 
was  in  no  mood  to  affect  royalty  on  the  banks  of  the 
River  May. 

He  was  vain  and  ostentatious,  perhaps ;  he  had  his 
faults  and  absurdities  like  other  men,  but  he  was  genial 
hearted  and  brave.  He  had  been  too  bitterly  schooled 
by  his  adversities  to  dream  of  such  idle  affectations  or 
desires.  Yet,  of  all  this  the  King  of  France  nor  Admiral 
Coligny,  the  projector  of  the  colony,  could  know  any  tiling. 
Composed  of  Huguenots  only,  a  people  of  whose  fidelity 
the  former  might  reasonably  doubt,  the  Catholic  King 
might  be  readily  supposed  to  give  ear  to  the  charges, 
false  as  they  were.  However,  Coligny  kept  his  promise 
and  sent  Ribault's  seven  vessels  with  a  military  force 
corresponding. 

To  the  great  relief  of  Ribault  his  old  comrade  re- 
ceived him  with  submission  and  soon  succeeded  in  con- 
vincing him  that  he  had  been  greatly  slandered;  that 
he  was  innocent  of  any  assumption  of  royalty  or  of 
unauthorized  state  of  any  kind ;  that  however  unfortun- 
ate he  might  have  been,  he  was  not  guilty  of  the  follies, 
presumption  and  cruelty  which  constituted  the  several 
points  in  the  indictment  against  him. 

Ribault  strove  to  persuade  him  to  remain  in  the  col- 
ony and  to  leave  his  justification  to  himself;  but  this 
Laudonniere  declined  to  do,  resolving  to  return  to  France, 


FLORIDA  HISTORICAL  TALES. 


a  resolution  which  we  shall  see  hereafter  was  only  de- 
layed too  long,  to  the  further  increase  of  the  misfortunes 
of  our  captain. 

Shortly  after  the  arrival  of  Jean  Ribault,  Laudon- 
niere  fell  sick  with  fever,  and  the  former  assumed  com- 
mand. Crowds  of  friendly  Indians  came  to  the  fort, 
curious  as  to  the  new  arrivals.  They  soon  recognized 
Ribault  as  the  chief  who  had  raised  the  stone  pillar  at 
the  mouth  of  the  river.  The  recognition  was  easy  by 
reason  of  the  massy  beard  he  wore.  They  welcomed  him 
with  the  greatest  cordiality  and  a  number  of  the  neigh- 
boring chiefs  recalled  the  ti3S  of  former  friendship  with 
mystic  ceremonies  and  made  fresh  pledges  of  amity. 
They  brought  to  him  several  pieces  of  what  in  their  lan- 
guage they  called  ''sierra  pira"  or  "yellow  metal" 
which,  upon  being  tested  by  the  refiner,  proved  to  be 
"perfect  golde." 

They  offered  to  conduct  Ribault  to  the  mountains  of 
Apalachia  where  it  was  to  be  found,  they  reported,  in 
abundance.  He  was  contemplating  a  visit  to  the  moun- 
tains when  events  of  the  greatest  importance,  supersed- 
ing the  hopes  of  gain,  obliged  the  colonists  to  contend 
for  their  lives.  The  Spaniards,  of  whom  they  had  been 
long  apprehensive,  appeared  upon  the  coast. 


STORY  OF  THE   HUGUENOTS. 


CHAPTER  IV. 

PEDRO   MELENDEZ   DE   AVILA   APPEARS. 

Spain  and  France  at  this  time  were  by  treaty  at  peace 
with  each  other,  but  Spain  claimed  Florida  by  ri^ht  of 
discovery  and  her  jealousy  had  been  roused  by  the  re- 
ported attempted  founding  of  the  French  colonies. 
Philip  the  Second,  a  cold  blooded,  malignant  and  jealous 
despot,  freed  by  amnesty  from  the  cares  of  war  at  home 
was  now  at  liberty  to  push  his  conquests  abroad.  His 
great  plea  was  his  desire  to  spread  the  Catholic  faith, 
but  in  reality  he  was  moved  only  by  a  cruel  and  insatia- 
ble ambition  and  was  in  religion  a  fanatical  hypocrite 
and  bigot. 

Pedro  Melendez  de  Avila,  an  officer  who  had  previ- 
ously distinguished  himself  in  other  expeditions  to  the 
new  world,  sought  and  obtained  the  appointment  of 
Adelantado  with  the  hereditary  government  of  all  the 
Floridas,  then  comprising  as  claimed,  an  immense  terri- 
tory stretching  northward  to  the  Carolinas  and  along  the 
gulf  coast  to  the  Mississippi.  Under  the  stimulus  of  the 
news  that  the  French  were  attempting  to  take  possession 
of  a  portion  of  this  territory,  Philip  increased  the  fleet  of 
the  expedition  to  twenty  vessels  and  its  force  to  tliree 
thousand  men.  It  became  a  crusade  and  the  eager  impe- 
tus of  ambition  was  set  on  fire  by  the  usual  argument  of 
a  holy  war.  To  extirpate  heresy  was  in  accordance  with 
the  cruel  bigotry  of  both  Charles  of  France  and  Philip. 

It  is  said  that  Charles,  in  the  same  spirit  which  after- 


84  FLORIDA  HISTORICAL  TALB8. 


wards  prompted  the  horrible  massacre  of  St.  Bartholo- 
mew, had  secretly  surrendered  the  colony  of  Coligny  to 
the  remorseless,  conscienceless  monarch  of  Spain.  Co- 
ligny well  knew  how  little  dependence  could  be  placed 
upon  his  king  in  all  matters  pertaining  to  the  Huguenots 
and  as  Ribault  was  about  to  depart  from  France  on  his 
last  voyage  wrote  a  hasty  postscript  to  his  letter  of 
instructions  as  follows:  ''  As  I  was  closing  this  letter  I 
received  certain  advices  that  Don  Pedro  Melendez  de- 
parteth  from  Spain  to  go  to  the  coast  of  New  France 
(Florida) ;  see  that  you  suffer  him  not  to  encroach  upon 
you,  no  more  than  you  will  suffer  yourself  to  encroach 
upon  him." 

On  the  voyage  out  the  fleet  of  Melendez  was  scattered 
by  tempests,  many  vessels  being  lost,  until  on  his  arrival 
at  Porto  Rico  he  could  muster  but  seven  or  eight  ships. 
The  fleet  of  Ribault  consisted  of  seven  vessels,  the  three 
smallest  of  which  ascended  the  river  to  the  fort.  The 
four  larger,  which  were  men-of-war,  remained  in  the 
open  roadstead  at  the  mouth  of  the  river.  Ribault,  be- 
fore he  left  the  roadstead,  charged  his  subalterns  to  be 
on  guard  against  any  vessels  that  might  arrive,  especially 
Spanish. 

It  was  well  he  did  so  for  one  September  day  they 
descried  approaching  the  River  May  six  large  vessels* 
In  the  absence  of  Ribault  the  squadron  was  inferior  in 
force  to  that  of  Melendez.  It  was  evening  when  they 
stood  in  and  too  late  for  effective  action.  They  lowered 
sail,  cast  anchor  and  forbore  all  offensive  operations ; 
there  was  even  communication  by  boat  under  flag  of 
truce  between  the  squadrons.  The  Ave  Maria  echoed 
musically  from  the  one  squadron  in  the  language  of  Spain, 


STORY  OF  THE   HUGUENOTS.  36 

the  evening  songs  of  the  French  from  the  other.  The 
night  zephyrs  blew  soft  and  fragrant  from  the  forest  lined 
shores.  All  seemed  peaceful  and  secure.  But  on  every 
vessel  were  alert  and  wakeful  sentinels  gazing  with  keen 
eyes  through  the  starlight  to  detect  the  first  warlike 
movement.    It  was  the  summer  night  before  the  storm* 

In  the  parley  that  took  place  in  the  evening  between 
the  two  squadrons,  the  Spaniards  inquired  by  name  after 
the  chief  captains  and  leaders  of  the  French,  betraying 
an  intimate  knowledge  of  facts  which  had  been  kept  as 
secret  as  possible  by  the  originators  of  the  expedition. 
This  was  sufficient  in  itself  to  arouse  the  suspicions  of 
the  latter  and  that  night  the  French  captains  held  a  con- 
sultation together.  They  decided  that  they  were  in  dan- 
ger of  assault  and  prepared  themselves  accordingly. 
The  men  were  notified  to  be  in  readiness  to  take  their 
stations  at  a  moment's  notice.  Arms  were  overhauled 
and  in  readiness ;  sheets  and  halliards  made  ready  for 
hoisting  sail,  for,  being  inferior  in  strength  but  faster 
sailers  than  their  foes,  it  was  decided  at  the  first  hostile 
movement  to  cut  their  cables,  spread  their  sails  and 
make  for  the  open  sea.  The  Spanish  vessels  occupied 
such  a  position  as  to  make  any  attempt  to  move  up  to 
Fort  Caroline  dangerous. 

Before  daylight  the  creaking  of  windlasses  notified 
the  French  that  the  Spanish  vessels  were  heaving  home 
their  anchors,  and  without  delaying  to  do  the  same,  by 
dawn  their  own  sails  were  hoisted  and  cutting  their 
cables  they  stood  out  to  sea  just  as  the  Spanish  squadron 
headed  for  them. 

The  six  Spanish  vessels  pitted  against  the  four 
French  ones,  opened  fire  upon  them,  but  the  range  of 


FliOBIDA  HISTORICAL  TALES. 


cannon  in  those  days  was  not  so  great  as  now  and  their 
shot  fell  short.  The  French  wasted  no  shot  upon  their 
pursuers  and  paid  more  attention  to  showing  their  ene- 
mies a  clean  pair  of  heels. 

The  chase  continued  the  most  of  the  day.  Finding 
pursuit  useless  the  Spanish  tacked  towards  evening  and 
stood  in  for  the  entrance  of  the  Selooe,  called  by  the 
French  the  River  of  Dolphins,  but  now  known  as  the 
Matanzas  River  and  St.  Augustine  Inlet. 

The  test  having  shown  they  were  the  speedier,  the 
French  vessels  came  about  and  saucily  followed  them  to 
make  what  discoveries  they  could.  Coming  as  close  as 
they  dared  they  found  "The  Trinity,"  the  seventh  and 
largest  of  the  Spanish  vessels,  anchored  off  the  bar. 
Three  of  their  late  pursuers  remained  just  inside  while 
the  other  three,  regarding  the  rest  as  more  than  a  match 
for  the  French,  sailed  to  the  landing  where  an  encamp- 
ment had  already  been  made.  Having  noted  these 
things  the  French  returned  to  the  River  May  and  re- 
ported to  Ribault. 

In  corroboration  of  these  facts  a  neighboring  friendly 
chief  had  sent  information  to  Ribault,  that  the  Spaniards 
had  gone  ashore  in  great  numbers  at  Selooe,  or  as  Melen- 
dez  christened  it,  St.  Augustine,  distant  across  the  land 
but  eight  or  ten  leagues  from  La  Caroline ;  that  they  had 
dispossessed  the  natives  of  their  houses  and  were  busy 
in  entrenching  a  regular  encampment  for  which  purpose 
he  had  disembarked  his  superfluous  men  and  remained 
with  the  great  ship  called  The  Trinity,  before  sending 
the  rest  in  search  of  the  French. 

Ribault  did  not  have  the  slightest  doubt  as  to  the 
intention  of  Melendez  to  attack  La  Caroline  from  this 


STORY  OF  THE  HUGUENOTS.  ST 


point  as  soon  as  possible.  Brave  as  a  lion  he  resolved  to 
take  the  initiative.  He  needed  no  stronger  justification 
than  the  pursuit  and  firing  on  his  vessels  by  the  Spanish 
fleet.  The  royal  banner  of  France  had  been  hostilely 
assailed  although  the  two  nations  were  nominally  at 
peace  with  each  other. 


FLORIDA  HI3T0BI0AL  TALES. 


CHAPTER  V. 

RIBAULT'S  attack  on  ST.  AUGUSTINE— THE  STORM. 

Ribault  called  a  council  with  all  his  officers  in  Lau- 
donniere's  chamber  at  La  Caroline,  that  captain  still 
being  ill  with  fever.  There  he  arrayed  the  arguments 
in  favor  of  attacking  the  Spaniards  at  St.  Augustine 
before  they  could  complete  their  defensive  arrangements. 
His  plan  was  to  fall  upon  them  with  all  his  forces  by  sea, 
boldly  attacking  The  Trinity  at  anchor  when  the  rest 
were  in  no  condition  to  support  her,  and  the  troops  of  the 
Adelantado  were  partly  on  shore  and  partly  on  the  other 
vessels  busily  engaged  in  the  removal  of  material  for  the 
settlement. 

Laudonniere,  however,  objected  to  Ribault's  plan. 
La  Caroline  was  in  almost  a  defenceless  condition ;  it 
it  was  the  season  of  the  year  as  he  had  found  by  experi- 
ence when  sudden  storms  might  be  expected.  Some  of 
the  other  captains  sided  with  him  but  Ribault,  old  sailor 
and  gallant  soldier,  was  eager  for  the  fray.  He  did  not 
give  Laudonniere  the  credit  he  deserved  for  skill  and 
courage. 

He  took  his  own  course  and  ordered  all  of  his  own 
men  on  board  his  seven  vessels.  But  not  satisfied  with 
this  he  took  also  from  the  fort  nearly  all  the  able  bodied 
men  and  on  the  eighth  of  September  parted  with  Lau- 
donniere for  the  last  time. 

Scarcely  had  he  crossed  the  roadstead  when  his  ves- 
sels met  squally  weather,  the  precursor  of  the  violent 


STORY  OF  THE   HUGUBl»fOT8.  39 


storm  which  followed.  Bibault  held  on,  however,  to  the 
southward  and  in  a  few  hours  his  squadron  was  off  St. 
Augustine  Inlet. 

Had  he  been  well  acquainted  with  the  channel  and 
sailed  boldly  in,  scarcely  anything  could  have  prevented 
a  complete  victory  over  the  Spaniards.  The  two  heavier 
vessels,  relieved  of  their  armament  and  troops,  which 
had  been  transferred  to  the  land,  had  been  dispatched  to 
Hispaniola.  The  remaining  five  vessels  were  unequal  in 
strength  to  Ribault's. 

Three  of  the  latter's  lighter  vessels  were  sent  in  to 
take  soundings  and  lead  the  way  while  the  others  worked 
after  them  slowly.  The  hours  lost  in  this  decided  the* 
fate  of  the  Huguenots.  Had  they  passed  straight  in 
upon  their  foes,  the  latter  could  have  made  no  effective 
defence. 

Two  only  of  Melendez'  vessels,  on  board  one  of 
which  the  Adelantado  himself  embarked,  were  ready  for 
battle  when  the  French  were  sighted.  Their  armament 
was  inferior,  but  Melendez  hoped  to  delay  the  entrance 
of  Ribault  until  all  the  forces  at  his  command  could  be 
rallied. 

Melendez  was  as  brave  as  Ribault.  Both  were  stim- 
ulated by  a  fierce  hatred  on  the  score  of  religion.  The 
Huguenot  hated  the  Spaniards  as  Catholics,  and  they 
hated  him  and  his  followers  as  heretics.  Each  in  his 
own  estimation  would  be  doing  God  service  by  ridding 
the  world  of  the  other. 

Melendez  exhorted  his  men,  who  were  fearful  of  the 
odds  against  them,  to  be  brave  and  prophesied  a  miracle 
would  occur  to  deliver  them  from  their  enemies. 

In  the  very  moment  when  the  hands  of  Ribault  were 


40  FLORIDA  HISTORICAL  TALES. 


stretched  out  to  grasp  the  prize  of  victory  which  should 
annihilate  Spanish  power  in  Florida,  the  squalls  sud- 
denly changed  to  a  north-east  gale  that  broke  upon  the 
French  squadron  with  the  roar  of  a  thousand  lions. 

The  waves  arose  and  mad  foam  capped  billows  broke 
clear  across  the  channel.  With  a  groan  of  rage  and  dis- 
appointment, Ribault  was  compelled  to  abandon  the 
assault  and  turn  his  attention  to  the  safety  of  his  vessels. 
Like  the  froth  of  the  waves  they  flew  southward  before 
the  mighty  power  of  the  hurricane,  speeding  along  the 
white  sand  belted  coast  with  no  harbor  of  refuge  for 
them. 

Whatever  their  faults,  their  virtues,  their  heroism^ 
the  aroused  forces  of  nature  cared  naught  for  them, 
seeming  only  desirous  to  doom  them  to  pitiless  destruc- 
tion. 

Darkness  and  storm  engulfed  them  and  through  it  all 
they  could  only  see  the  phosphorescent  glare  of  the 
breakers  upon  the  shore  and  hear  naught  but  their 
thunder. 

The  hollow  conclave  of  the  heavens  was  filled  with 
spray  and  darkness,  save  when  the  lightning  flashes 
threw  a  ghastly  glare  upon  the  tumultuous  waters. 

In  the  meantime  the  Spaniards  from  the  depths  of 
their  previous  abandonment  to  despair,  were  exalted  to 
the  highest  pitch  of  enthusiasm  and  rejoicing.  Melen- 
dez  had  promised  that  God  should  work  a  miracle  to 
save  them.  He  shrewdly  turned  the  storm  to  advantage 
in  stimulating  the  faith  and  devotion  of  his  people. 

''See!"  said  he, '' what  wonders  God  has  done  for 
you  this  day.  Call  you  this  the  cause  of  our  king  only? 
It  is  the  cause  of  the  king  of  kings !    We  are  few,  we  are 


STORY  OF  THE   HUGUENOTS.  41 

feeble,  in  a  wilderness  swarming  with  savages,  but  He 
will  overcome  them  for  us  as  He  has  already  driven  to 
destruction  those  heretics,  the  spawn  of  Satan!  The 
cause  in  which  we  strive  is  holy.  The  God  of  storms 
and  battles  has  ranged  himself  upon  our  side." 

Cries  of  exultation  answered  him.  A  thousand  voices 
renewed  their  vows  of  fidelity  and  swore  to  follow  where 
he  should  lead.  He  commanded  a  solemn  mass  should 
be  celebrated  that  night  and  that  all  the  army  should  be 
present. 

He  knew  it  would  be  long,  if  ever,  before  the  French 
vessels  returned  and  already  planned  the  utter  destruc- 
tion of  La  Caroline  before  succor  should  come. 

Don  Pedro  Melendez  de  Avila  was  a  man  of  rare 
energy,  extraordinary  foresight  and  indomitable  will. 
His  religious  fanaticism,  if  real,  gave  the  sanction  of 
religion  to  his  relentless  cruelty,  a  savage  trait  of  the 
Spanish  character  then  as  now.  But  the  history  of  the 
whole  matter  shows  that,  after  all,  it  was  not  so  much 
the  difference  of  creeds  that  made  Melendez  resolute  for 
the  utter  destruction  of  the  heretics  of  La  Caroline  but 
because  he  believed  it  absolutely  essential  for  the  con- 
tinued existence  of  the  Spanish  colony  that  the  French 
should  be  destroyed.  He  but  played  upon  the  ignorant 
fanaticism  of  his  followers  to  stimulate  them  to  work 
to  that  end  with  all  their  energies. 

This  design,  however,  the  continued  succession  of 
stormy  weather  and  the  unsettled  condition  of  affairs  in 
his  new  colony  of  St.  Augustine,  compelled  him  to  post- 
pone for  some  days  while  he  was  busily  engaged  in  erect- 
ing fortifications  and  dwellings  for  his  people,  during 
which  the   temporary  enthusiasm  created  by  the  late 


FLORIDA   HISTORICAL  TALES. 


apparently  providential  deliverance  from  their  enemies 
died  away  in  a  great  measure. 

The  mass  of  the  Spanish  colonists  were  not  veteran 
soldiers,  for  to  that  class  which  in  that  marvelous  age  of 
Spanish  conquest  and  glory  abounded  in  Spain,  the  rich 
fields  of  Mexico,  Central  and  South  America  offered  far 
greater  inducements,  but  were  new  recruits,  or  peasantry 
undisciplined  and  inexperienced  in  such  hardships  as 
they  were  now  compelled  to  endure.  There  was  soon 
consequently  much  murmuring  and  discontent. 

But  if  the  Spaniards  at  St.  Augustine  felt  their  hard- 
ships so  greatly  and  their  state  was  disheartening,  much 
more  so  was  the  condition  of  affairs  at  La  Caroline. 
Weakened  by  the  departure  of  Ribault,  of  whose  fate 
they  could  only  conjecture ;  knowing  only  through  the 
agency  of  Indian  friends  that  the  squadron  had  failed 
to  accomplish  its  purpose  and  been  driven  off  by  the 
gale,  which  had  been  followed  by  heavy  rains  and  vio- 
lent winds,  the  Huguenots  at  La  Caroline  were  in  a  more 
deplorable  state  than  ever.  The  supplies  brought  out  by 
KibaUlt  for  them  had  been  chiefly  appropriated  for  the 
use  of  the  fleet.  A  survey  made  immediately  after  his 
departure  led  to  the  stinting  of  the  daily  allowance  for 
the  garrison  reduced  as  it  was.  Laudonniere  was  still 
sick ;  the  men  were  spiritless,  hopeless  and  consequently 
the  work  of  repairing  the  defences  went  on  but  slowly, 
and  even  its  watch  was  maintiiined  with  doubtful  vigi- 
lance. Themselves  much  averse  to  exposure,  they 
thought  the  Spaniards  would  not  undertake  any  attempt 
upon  the  fort  during  the  equinoctial  storms,  when  march- 
ing through  the  rains  and  wading  morasses  would  be 
likely  to  bring  upon  them  malarial  fevers  and  other  sick- 


STORY  OF  THE  HUGUENOTS.  43 


ness,  and  were  neglectful  of  their  duties.  Languid  with 
the  fever  of  half  healed  wounds,  or  full  of  malarial  poi- 
son, enfeebled  with  scant  food,  even  the  bravest  vete- 
rans among  them  liad  lost  heart  and  had  sunk  into  a 
state  of  apathy  from  which  it  was  impossible  to  arouse 
them. 

Not  even  Laudonniere  could  blame  them,  althougli 
he  had  reason  to  believe  that  at  some  unexpected  moment 
his  cruel  and  wily  enemy  would  aim  his  heaviest  blows 
upon  their  heads. 

Leaving  the  unfortunate  Huguenots  of  La  Caroline, 
let  us  turn  again  to  the  Spaniards  at  St.  Augustine. 

The  energy  of  Melendez  knew  no  sleep ;  in  spite  of 
storms  and  torrents  of  rain  which  deluged  the  land ;  the 
murmurs  and  discontents  of  his  people ;  he  kept  at  work 
trenching  and  fortifying  the  point  of  land  between  the 
•San  Sebastian  and  the  inlet  which  he  had  selected  as  the 
site  of  his  settlement,  from  which  he  dispossessed  the 
Indians,  converting  their  dwellings  to  the  use  of  his  sol- 
diery. While  he  had  reason  to  hope  that  the  French 
fleet  might  have  come  to  grief  in  the  storm  that  had  so 
opportunely  arisen,  he  was  too  well  versed  in  the  vicissi- 
tudes of  war  to  neglect  providing  every  defence  possible 
should  it  have  escaped  injury.  If  it  did  so,  he  knew  it 
would  return  to  renew  the  attack  upon  him. 

Whatever  his  fanaticism  might  whisper  to  him  of 
divine  interposition  in  his  behalf,  reason  taught  him  to 
see  to  it  that  every  available  means  at  hands  should  be 
used  for  the  protection  of  his  settlement  first  and  every 
possible  preparation  be  made  to  secure  success  when  he 
should  take  the  initiative  against  his  foes. 

He    evidently    studied    over    the    situation  closely. 


44  FLORIDA  HISTORICAL  TALES. 

While  he  preached  the  cause  of  Catholicism  as  an  incite- 
ment to  his  followers  against  the  heretic  Huguenots,  it  is 
plainly  evident  that  motives  of  policy,  or  as  he  viewed  it 
absolute  necessity  called  for  the  destruction  of  Coligny's 
colony.  While  Ribault  and  Laudonniere  were  ahle  to 
dispute  the  Spanish  claim  to  possession  of  the  Floridas 
his  title  of  Adelantado  amounted  to  nothing. 

It  might  any  day  end  in  his  being  driven  ignomini- 
ously  from  the  land  over  which  he  was  expected  to  estab- 
lish sovereignty.  As  Scipio  decreed  the  destruction  of 
Carthage,  because  unless  Carthage  was  destroyed  Rome 
would  be,  so  Melendez  decreed  the  destruction  of  La 
Caroline. 

Had  they  been  a  kindred  people,  with  possibilities  of 
amalgamation  or  absorption,  it  is  not  likely  that  a  mere 
creedal  difference  would  have  prompted  him  to  the  ter- 
rible atrocity  which  marked  the  downfall  of  Frencji 
power  in  Florida.  But  trained  in  the  cruel  hypocrisy  of 
the  age,  which  threw  over  its  greatest  crimes  the  cloak 
of  religious  sanction,  lie  did  not  hesitate  a  moment  in 
assuming  the  same  disguise,  and  in  tlie  name  of  God  lie 
served  the  devil,  Ambition. 


STORY  OF  THE   HUGUENOTS.  45 


CHAPTER  VI. 

THE   DESTRUCTION   OF    LA  CAROLINE     DECREED   BY   ME- 
LENDEZ. 

It  has  been  noted  that  Melendez  had  decreed  the 
destruction  of  the  Huguenots  of  La  Caroline. 

It  was  on  the  8th  of  September  Bibault  made  his 
attempts  on  Melendez  at  St.  Augustine.  The  reader  is 
apprised  of  the  disastrous  result  of  that  expedition.  A 
week  Avas  passed  by  Melendez  in  finishing  his  defensive 
preparations  and  then  he  called  a  council  of  war.  Tor- 
rents of  rain  were  still  falling.  The  low  flat  pine  lands 
of  the  interior  were  afloat,  but  Melendez'  indomitable 
will  knew  no  check  from  natural  causes.  More  than  any 
other  member  of  his  little  army,  he  was  as  dauntless  as 
he  was  ferocious  in  his  determination. 

The  council  of  war  was  held  in  the  old  council  house 
of  the  Indian  tribe  occupying  this  vicinity  at  the  time  of 
his  arrival,  a  round  fabric  made  of  logs  and  earth, 
thatched  with  palmetto  leaves.  It  was  not  a  comforta- 
ble place  with  its  rude  log  seats  and  its  central  pitch 
pine  flre  casting  a  weird  gleam  over  the  armor  of  his 
captains.  But  their  leader  recked  nothing  of  these  dis- 
comforts. He  knew  the  people  he  had  to  deal  with 
thoroughly ;  their  weaknesses  and  discontents,  the  base 
natures  of  many  of  them  and  their  utter  incapacity  to 
realize  the  scope  of  his  ideas  and  plans. 

He  could  scorn  their  imbecility  and  cowardice,  but 
he  must  use  them.     There  were  no  other  instruments 


46  FLORIDA   HISTORICAL  TALES. 


attainable  and  they  must  be  aroused  from  their  apathetic* 
state  to  the  work  before  them. 

As  he  stood  in  their  midst  the  air  was  filled  with  the 
muffled  roar  of  the  surf  and  the  rusli  of  the  rain.  He 
looked  around  the  circle  and  saw  no  enthusiasm  in  their 
eyes.  They  were  down-cast  and  moody.  Already  had 
they  realized  that  Florida  was  not  offering  them  the 
booty  of  rich  cities  as  Peru  and  Mexico  did  to  Pizarro 
and  Cortez.    Even  tlie  priests  were  discouraged. 

Nothing  daunted,  he  clearly  placed  before  them  the 
proposition  to  march  overland  to  La  Caroline  "  To  de- 
stroy those  arch  heretics  in  the  very  fortress  of  their 
strength — in  the  very  place  which  they  have  built  as 
their  refuge.  Even  the  tempest,  if  it  continues,  will  aid 
in  the  achievement  of  success!" 

Murmurs  broke  out  among  the  listeners.  "  What  is  it 
that  ye  fear?"  asked  Melendez.  One  arose  and  answered : 
''  Shall  we,  left  here  on  this  savage  shore,  not  yet  en- 
trenched, divide  our  strength  to  attack  La  Caroline  and 
give  Ribault  a  chance  to  fall  upon  our  camp  here,  destroy 
it  and  plac«  us  between  two  hostile  forces?  Surely  tliis 
would  not  be  wise  or  prudent?" 

Then  Melendez,  orator  as  well  as  soldier  and  fanatic,^ 
spoke  forcibly  and  with  eloquence  which  stirred  all  their 
hearts.  He  claimed  to  see  with  prophetic  virion  that 
Ribault  would  not  trouble  the  camp;  nay,  could  not, 
because  the  tempest  was  still  carrying  him  before  it 
or  had  engulfed  him  in  the  seas.  Should  he  escape  all 
the  dangers  of  the  storm  and  the  keys  which  lined  the 
coast  to  the  southward,  weeks  must  pass  before  he  could 
possibly  return  to  St.  Augustine.  In  that  time  they 
would  have  accomplished  their  purpose.    They  would  be 


STORY  OF  THE  HUGUENOTS.  ,47 


able  to  turn  his  own  cannon  against  him.  He  declared 
it  was  war  to  the  uttermost  between  them.  If  the  French 
were  not  destroyed  they  themselves  would  be  destroyed. 
They  would  give  no  quarter;  tliey  should  have  none. 
The  French  were  heretics  and  pirates,  invaders  of  the 
territories  of  Spain  and  as  true  Spaniards  it  was  not  only 
a  patriotic  duty  to  extirpate  them  but  a  religious  one  also. 

He  chided  them  for  being  afraid  of  exposure  to  the 
elements ;  for  being  fearful  of  receiving  a  few  hard  knocks 
and  loath  to  march  against  an  enemy  inferior  in  every 
way  to  themselves,  because  there  was  no  royal  road  for 
them  to  march  over. 

All  reasonable  objections  and  arguments  in  opposi- 
tion were  patiently  listened  to  and  controverted  with 
such  skill  that  the  objectors  were  reduced  to  a  minority 
and  silenced. 

It  was  decided  the  next  morning  to  prepare  for  the 
expedition  which  was  to  consist  of  five  hundred  men. 

Provisions  were  to  be  carried  for  eight  days.  The 
force  was  divided  into  six  companies,  each  with  its  flag 
and  captain.  A  picked  company  of  pioneers  with  axes 
was  chosen  to  clear  the  way. 

One  writer  says  that  at  this  point  in  the  council 
>/ arrangements.  Father  Salvandi,  a  priest,  brought  in  a 
strange  man  partly  in  the  costume  of  a  sailor  whom  he 
introduced  as  ''  Francis  Jean,  a  Frenchman,  once  a  here- 
tic but  now  recanting  and  desirous  of  becoming  a  Catho- 
lic, who  will  report  what  he  knows  touching  the  condi- 
tion of  La  Caroline  and  will  act  as  a  guide." 

The  statement  was  made  that  he  had  fled  because  he 
had  been  beaten  by  Laudonniere.  If  the  incident  is  true 
he  was  probably  some  thief  or  insubordinate  who  had 


48  FLORIDA   HISTORICAL  TALES. 


been  thus  punished,  for  Laudonniere,  as  we  have  seen, 
was  never  a  cruel  man  or  severe  in  his  rule. 

With  these  conclusions  arrived  at  and  arrangements 
made  the  council  adjourned.  It  is  true  that  upon  the 
next  day  in  the  midst  of  preparations  for  the  march, 
under  the  discouragements  of  the  continued  bad  weather, 
a  mutinous  spirit  was  manifested  by  some,  even  of  tlie 
officers,  but  to  this  Melendez  wisely  gave  but  little  atten- 
tion, except  to  allow  no  delay  in  the  preparations.  Fran- 
cis Recaldo,  Diego  de  Maya  and  St.  Vincent  boldly 
remonstrated  with  the  Adelantado,  but  h'ls  answer  was 
an  invitation  to  dine  with  him  and  all  the  rest  of  his 
officers  that  day.  He  played  the  part  of  host  as  well  as 
he  had  done  that  of  leader  at  the  council,  and  silenced 
all  opposition.  By  the  morning  of  the  15th  the  army  was 
ready  to  march. 

They  had  made  much  of  the  imaginary  and  real  diffi- 
culties and  dangers  of  the  expedition,  but  at  La  Caroline 
there  were  less  than  a  hundred  men,  besides  women  and 
children,  to  defend  a  half  dismantled,  poorly  constructed 
fortress,  whose  commandant  was  still  too  ill  to  take 
charge  of  affairs  and  was  compelled  to  trust  to  careless 
subordinates. 

The  Adelantado,  having  thoroughly  organized  his 
little  army,  placed  himself  at  its  head  and  in  spite  of  the 
rainfall  which  still  continued  daily,  marched  toward  La 
Caroline. 

Boats  from  his  vessels  carried  the  force  up  the  San 
Sebastian  to  a  point  where  the  marshes  ceased  and  they 
could  reach  the  solid  land. 

Here  the  vanguard  composed  of  Biscayans  and  Astur- 
ians,  expert  with  the  ax,  were  sent  forward  to  cut  a  way 


STORY  OF  THE  HUGURNOTS.  49 


through  the  tangled  hammock  under  the  command  of 
Senor  Martin  de  Ochoa.  With  it  went  the  traitor  Francis 
Jean,  who  had  abandoned  both  his  religion  and  his  loy- 
alty, closely  watched. 

Not  many  miles  did  they  make  on  the  first  day,  re- 
tarded as  they  were  by  the  difficulty  of  cutting  a  path 
through  the  dense  tliickets  which  lined  the  shores  of  the 
San  Sebastian,  and  the  rain  storm  which  broke  upon 
them.  But  their  camp  was  pitched  at  last  in  the  open 
pine  woods.  Even  on  that  night,  around  the  bivouac 
fires  which  j^eamed  upon  steel  cuirass  and  morion,  there 
were  murmurings  of  discontent  at  what  was  deemed  an 
unnecessary  and  ill-timed  expedition  which  could  have 
neither  glory  or  riches  in  it. 

Melendez,  however,  did  not  suffer  the  least  abatement 
in  his  ardor  to  fall  upon  and  surprise  the  French  strong- 
hold, and  wrapped  in  his  cloak  slumbered  by  his  fire  of 
pine  knots  as  calmly  as  if  in  a  palace. 

As  usual  in  this  region  the  rains  fell  chiefly  at  a  cer 
tain  time  of  the  day,  coming  down  with  such  force  and 
intensity  as  seemingly  to  exhaust  the  clouds  for  the  time 
being,  leaving  the  levels  of  the  pine  woods  flooded,  until 
the  waters  could  drain  off  into  the  cypress  swamps  and 
find  their  exit  thence  to  the  sea  by  winding  tortuous 
creeks,  whose  presence  could  be  detected,  as  they  ad- 
vanced, by  heavy  fringes  of  cyi)ress  and  by  their  closing 
the  forward  view. 

The  second  and  third  days  were  like  the  first,  dreary 
marches  through  flooded  lands,  wfiile  the  rains  soaked 
their  garments  and  made  it  extremely  difficult  for  the 
soldiers  to  protect  their  ammunition  and  provisions. 

On  the  fourth  day  they  w^ere  within  a  few  miles  of 


50  FIX)BIDA   HISTORICAL  TALES. 


La  Caroline,  but  before  them  lay  a  broad  marsh  in  which 
the  water  was  up  to  their  middles. 

It  was  here  that  tlie  hearts  of  the  common  soldiers 
sank  because  of  their  toil  and  suffering  and  more  than  a 
hundred  slunk  away,  retracing  their  steps  to  St.  Augus- 
tine, wliere  their  reports  of  disaster  to  the  expedition 
made  a  temporary  excuse  for  their  desertion. 

But  Melendez'  indomitable  courage,  his  unbending 
will,  his  presence  and  voice  of  command,  still  prevailed 
to  push  the  greater  proportion  of  his  troops  forward,  in 
spite  of  the  fact  that  many  muttered  cui^es  upon  his 
head. 

One  Fernan  Perez,  an  ensign  of  St.  Vincent's  com- 
pany, was  bold  enougli  to  say  ''He  could  not  comprehend 
how  so  many  gentlemen  could  let  tliemselves  be  led  by 
an  Asturian  mountaineer  who  knew  no  more  about  carry- 
ing on  war  on  land  than  a  horse." 

Even  tlien,  when  so  close  to  the  goal  he  aimed  at, 
Melendez  was  compelled  to  use  all  his  skill,  craft  and 
dissimulation,  enforced  by  claims  of  inspiration  or  reve- 
lation. 

Urging  them  on  with  fiery  zeal  he  succeeded  in  pass- 
ing the  marshes  and  reaching  the  more  solid  land  be- 
yond, which  his  guide,  the  renegade,  assured  him  ex- 
tended to  the  very  gates  of  the  French  fortress. 

At  sunset  they  halted  for  their  supper  within  striking 
distance  of  La  Caroline,  without  having  given  the  alarm. 
Their  temporary  camp  was  out  of  sight  from  the  fortress, 
and  as  the  day  iiad  been  a  stormy  one  not  a  Frenchman 
had  been  landward,  nor  had  a  single  friendly  native  been 
fitirred  to  bring  tidings  to  the  garrison. 


STORY  OF  THE   HUGUENOTS.  51 


CHAPTER  VII. 

THE   FALL  OF   LA  CAROLINE. 

Under  the  guidance  of  the  renegade,  Melendez  and 
his  captains  made  a  reconnoissance  of  the  fort.  Dark  as 
the  night  was  he  soon  found  that  it  was  not  only  careless- 
ly watched  but  that  breaches  in  its  rude  walls  afforded 
easy  means  of  entrance.  Rains  were  falling  and  gusty 
winds  were  blowing.  De  La  Vigne,  one  of  Laudonniere's 
lieutenants,  was  captain  of  the  watch  that  night,  but 
through  pity  for  the  sentinels  exposed  to  such  weather 
allowed  them  to  shelter  themselves  as  best  they  could, 
and  not  dreaming  that  an  enemy  could  be  abroad  on  such 
a  night,  himself  retired  to  his  quarters,  satisfied  that 
everything  was  secure. 

Little  did  he  know  that  just  beyond  the  range  of  his 
vision  the  arch-enemy  of  the  Huguenots  of  La  Caroline 
was  praying  that  he  might  be  enabled  to  change  their 
slumbers  by  dawn  into  the  eternal  sleep.  And  so  passed 
the  night  of  the  nineteenth  of  September — the  last  one 
for  the  Frenchmen  in  La  Caroline. 

Before  dawn,  with  his  forces  divided  into  commands 
under  Martin  de  Ochoa,  Francis  Recaldo,  Andres  Lopez 
Patino  and  himself,  the  landward  sides  of  the  fortress 
were  invested.  While  waiting  impatiently  for  daylight, 
Ochoa  and  the  master  of  the  camp,  Patino,  silently  pene- 
trated one  of  the  breaches.  They  came  across  a  drowsy 
sentinel  who  exclaimed  "Qui  vive!"  Ochoa  answered 
promptly  "France!"  but  the  sentinel  not  satisfied  ap- 


FIX)RIDA  HISTORICAL  TALES. 


proached  to  inspect  more  closely,  thinking  they  were 
possibly  stragglers  from  the  brigantine  lying  in  the  har- 
bor, only  to  receive  a  stunning  blow  from  a  partisan. 

The  sentinel  recovered  his  footing  and  drew  his 
«word  but  was  struck  down  again,  disarmed  and  at  the 
sword's  point  forbidden  to  make  a  sound.  He  was  con- 
'ducted  to  Melendez  who  commanded  him  to  be  slain, 
•and  as  the  dawn  was  breaking  tlie  order  was  given  for 
tlie  assault. 

Two  more  of  the  sentinels  at  the  outer  posts  were 
slain,  while  scarcely  roused  from  their  sleep.  A  third 
however,  on  the  ramparts,  saw  the  Spaniards  rushing  to 
the  assault  and  cried  "To  arms !"  Shouting  the  alarm  he 
fled  before  them  and  Laudonniere  was  aroused  but  the 
warning  came  too  late. 

The  Spaniards  were  in  the  fort.  The  feeble  garrison 
could  not  rally  on  a  single  point.  Laudonniere  seized  his 
arms  and  weak  although  he  was  from  his  late  sickness, 
rushed  into  the  central  court  and  called  upon  his  soldiers 
to  rally  to  him.  Some  did,  others  were  butchered  as  they 
endeavored  to  do  so.  The  wild  shouts  of  battle,  the  cries 
of  women  and  children,  rang  out  over  the  waters  of  the 
River  May. 

At  the  southwest  portion  of  the  fort  some  of  the  brav- 
est of  the  garrison  rallied  and  made  a  desperate  stand. 
These  Laudonniere  joined  and  by  the  most  headlong 
valor  endeavored  to  expel  the  invaders.  But  it  was  ut- 
terly in  vairj.  The  Spaniards  had  won  too  secure  a  foot- 
ing and  were  in  too  great  numbers  to  be  dispossessed. 
Melendez  shouting  his  fanatical  war  cry ''God  is  with  us, 
my  comrades!"  led  them  on. 

They  mocked  the  tardy  valor  of  the  Huguenots,  their 


STORY  OF  THE  HUGUENOTS.  53 


feeble  force,  and  as  one  by  one  they  fell,  derided  them 
with  taunts  and  curses  while  hacking  and  stabbing  the 
poor  unfortunates  mercilessly,  until  no  life  was  left  in 
their  mangled  bodies. 

Pressing  forward  through  the  melee,  Melendez  soon 
confronted  Laudonniere  but  did  not  know  him  as  they 
had  never  met  before.  The  renegade,  Francis  Jean, 
pointed  out  his  old  leader  saying  "That  is  lie!  Laudon- 
niere, the  captain  of  the  heretics!" 

"Is  it  thou?  traitor!  Let  me  but  live  to  slay  thee  and 
I  care  nothing  for  the  rest!"  shouted  Laudonniere,  mak- 
ing at  him. 

But  Melendez  thrust  back  the  traitor  and  interposed 
his  Toledo  blade  and  mailed  form  to  prevent  Laudon- 
niere's  just  vengeance. 

As  the  Spaniards  pressed  on,  the  few  Frenchmen  fell 
back  until  only  one  brave,  stout  man,  Bartholomew  Pre- 
vatt,  stood  with  Laudonniere  trying  to  beat  back  the 
assailants  with  a  heavy  partisan.  Melendez,  a  stalwart 
warrior,  clad  in  mail,  sprang  eagerly  forward  hoping  to 
slay  Laudonniere,  who,  in  his  condition  no  match  for 
him,  was  just  as  eager  for  the  fray.  At  that  moment  he 
preferred  to  die  in  the  battle,  for  so  might  his  honor  be 
saved.  But  this  was  denied  him.  A  rush  of  fugitives 
bore  him  back  towards  a  breach  accompanied  by  the 
faithful  Bartholomew.  He  yielded  only  foot  by  foot, 
parrying  with  sword  and  buckler  like  an  accomplished 
cavalier,  the  sword  thrusts  of  Melendez  and  the  assaults 
of  the.long  pikes  of  the  Spaniards,  his  one  faithful  follow- 
er keeping  by  his  side  yet  urging  him  to  retreat. 

Falling  back,  still  facing  the  foe,  through  a  narrow 
alley  way,  they  reached  the  yard  in  which  was  Laudon^ 


54  FLORIDA  HISTORIOAIi  TALES. 


niere's  lodging.  Here  a  tent  happened  to  be  standing 
around  which  they  passed  but  in  the  melee  the  Spaniards 
thought  they  had  gone  into  it  and  so  rushed  in. 

"Hither,  now;  Monsieur  Rene!"  cried  Bartliolomew, 
grasping  him  by  the  wrist,  ''follow  me  and  we  shall  sure- 
ly escape." 

For  a  moment  Laudonniere  stood  thrusting  the  point 
of  his  sword  into  the  wet  earth,  in  vexation  and  despair, 
while  the  tears  stood  in  his  eyes  and  groans  were  on  his 
lips. 

''See !  we  have  not  a  moment  to  lose,  the  tent  falls, 
the  Spaniards  will  be  on  us  in  a  moment !  They  will 
catch  us  at  the  breach !"  cried  the  soldier  with  impatience. 

"Surely,  there  is  where  they  should  have  found  me 
at  the  first — but  now! — lead  on!  I  will  follow,  as  thou 
wilt." 

A  heavy  mist  had  come  up  from  the  sea  and  in  its 
obscurity  the  two  gained  the  breach  in  safety  and  from 
thence  to  the  dense  hammock  was  only  a  short  step. 
Here  there  was  temporary  safety  but  they  were  so  naer 
that  they  could  hear  the  dreadful  work  of  death  and  hor- 
ror going  on  inside  the  fortress  and  the  fierce  shouts  of 
Melendez  crying  out  "Slay,  slay  and  spare  not!"  rising 
above  the  groans  of  dying  men  and  the  frenzied  shrieks 
of  women  and  children. 

The  panting  fugitives  traversed  in  safety  under  cover 
of  the  mist  the  open  ground  between  the  fort  and  the 
dense  hammock.  For  a  few  moments  they  halted  to  re- 
cover breath,  still  within  hearing  of  the  shriekg  and 
shouts  of  those  who  could  not  escape.  Even  then  Lau- 
donniere felt  impelled  to  turn  back  and  strike  one  more 
brave  blow  for  La  Caroline.     But  Bartholomew  shook 


STORY  OF  THE   HUGUENOTS.  66 


his  head,  saying  "It  is  useless,  my  captain  I  The  Spanish 
devils  have  the  fort.  God  only  can  save  our  comrades." 
So  shutting  his  ears  with  his  hands  he  stumbled  on  with 
his  companion,  deeper  into  the  forest. 

Here  they  found  other  fugitives,  some  wounded,  all 
terror  stricken. 

Laudonniere  could  command  no  longer,  but  his  ad- 
vice was  to  work  their  way  through  the  marshes  to  the 
river  shore,  from  whence  they  might  signal  their  vessels 
at  the  river  mouth  and  so  yet  make  their  escape  while 
the  Spaniards  were  engaged  in  the  fort.  A  portion  of 
them  fearing  they  would  be  caught  on  the  naked  shore 
preferred  to  push  on  to  the  nearest  Indian  village,  which 
had  hitherto  been  friendly.  Laudonniere  knew,  however, 
that  this  point  would  be  one  of  the  first  visited  by  the 
pursuers  and  that  it  could  afford  no  ultimate  rescue  or 
defence,  so  with  a  few  followers  he  entered  the  marshes 
and  hidden  by  the  hammock  from  the  fort  pushed  on 
through  the  tall  grass  towards  the  shore.  The  ground 
was  soft  and  many  muddy  little  creeks  intervened. 

Weakened  by  his  recent  sickness,  into  one  of  these 
the  captain  fell  and  up  to  his  neck  in  water  and  mud  he 
felt  as  if  he  must  yield  to  his  fate.  But  Jean  Ressegui  de 
Chemin  and  the  faithful  Bartholomew  extricated  him 
and  stayed  by  him  the  rest  of  the  day  and  through  the 
long  dreary  night  which  followed. 

Meanwhile  two  of  the  soldiers  in  advance  reached 
the  shore  and  swam  off  towards  the  vessels,  still  a  mile 
off. 

Fortunately  for  them,  those  on  board  had  been  ap- 
prised of  the  taking  of  the  fort  by  Jean  de  Hais,  the 
master  carpenter,  who  had  slept  that  night  in  the  shallop 


56  FLORIDA  HISTOBIOAL  TALES. 

and  when  he  saw  the  fort  was  captured  dropped  down 
the  river  to  the  vessels,  which  sent  out  boats  to  pick  up 
the  swimmers.  The  work  of  picking  up  the  stragglers 
was  continued  and  Laudonniere  with  his  faithful  com- 
panions were  at  last  found  and  rescued.  In  all  eighteen 
or  twenty  were  thus  saved,  among  whom  was  the  cele- 
brated painter  Jacques  le  Moyne  de  Morgues,  some  of 
whose  illustrations  of  Florida  scenery  and  native  life  are 
still  preserved  in  the  old  chronicles. 

They  dared  not  go  near  to  La  Caroline,  as  the  brigan- 
tine  which  they  had  repaired  before  Ribault's  arrival 
and  the  bark  purchased  from  Admiral  Hawkins,  were 
neither  well  enough  armed  nor  manned  to  face  any  as- 
sault from  the  Spaniards  and  finding  at  last  that  no  more 
fugitives  were  left  to  rescue,  as  those  who  had  taken 
refuge  with  the  Indians  had  been  pursued  and  slain  by 
the  remorseless  foe,  the  sliallop  was  scuttled  and  on  the 
25th  of  September,  1665,  Laudonniere  sailed,  abandoning 
forever  the  last  colony  of  France  in  Florida. 

After  many  perils  by  sea  they  arrived  in  England 
where  they  received  generous  hospitality  and  humane 
treatment. 

It  will  be  noted  Laudonniere  did  not  desert  the  vi- 
cinity of  La  Caroline  until  the  last  moment,  for  while 
Melendez  had  attacked  the  fort  only  with  a  land  expedi- 
tion the  enemy  might  order  up  vessels  by  messengers  to 
St.  Augustine  to  cut  off  their  flight  and  they  ^ared  not 
tarry  longer,  but  they  learned  the  most  of  the  particulars 
which  marked  the  fate  of  the  Huguenot  colony  as  the 
most  deplorable  and  atrocious  in  the  annals  of  American 
history. 


STORY  OF  THE  HUGUENOTS.  57 


CHAPTER  VIII. 

THE   PRISONERS   EXECUTED. 

There  are  pages  in  history  which  are  penned  with 
trembling,  reluctant  hand,  so  full  of  atrocity  and  horror 
are  they.  Yet  they  must  be  written,  if  for  naught  else 
than  for  warning  to  the  generations  of  men  to  keep 
chains  upon  the  brutal  instincts  which,  let  loose  without 
restraint,  do  turn  the  loveliest  spots  of  earth  into  fit  types 
of  hell. 

It  was  a  cruel  sanguinary  age,  when  blood  flowed 
like  water,  not  only  in  the  new  world  but  in  the  old.  An 
age  which  prated  much  of  Christianity,  yet  knew  not 
what  mercy  or  justice  or  charity  meant  when  reasons  of 
state  intervened. 

It  was  ''vse  victis"  to  the  conquered,  especially  if 
they  were  alien  in  both  religious  creed  and  race. 

La  Caroline  was  captured  as  written  in  the  preceding 
section.  By  the  time  the  sun  had  dispersed  the  morning 
mist  the  last  of  its  Huguenot  defenders  was  either  si- 
lenced in  death  or  bound  and  awaiting  the  will  of  the 
conqueror,  save  those  who  were  being  speedily  hunted 
down  and  slain  in  the  adjacent  forests. 

The  Fleur  de  Lis  of  France  was  replaced  with  the 
standard  of  Spain  and  the  name  of  the  fortress  changed 
to  San  Mateo,  to  commemorate  the  day  on  which  it  was 
taken.  The  arms  of  France  and  Coligny  which  sur- 
mounted its  gateway  were  torn  down  and  a  garrison  set 


58  FLORIDA  HISTORICAL  TALES. 


apart  to  take  charge  of  the  place  under  the  command  of 
Gonzalo  de  Villareal. 

Then  came  the  question  of  what  disposition  to  make 
of  the  prisoners.  We  have  seen  that  twenty  escaped 
with  Laudonniere;  as  many  more  were  overtaken  and 
slaughtered  in  flight.  Many  had  been  killed  in  the  sur- 
prise, but  there  still  remained  thirty  or  forty  men  to  be 
disposed  of. 

Melendez  was  a  man  of  rapid  action.  Having  made 
up  his  mind  he  was  as  cruel  and  relentless  as  a  tiger  in 
carrying  out  his  conclusions.  He  had  mentally  decided, 
even  before  the  fall  of  La  Caroline,  to  destroy  the  Hu- 
guenots utterly.  Short  was  the  shriving  he  intended  for 
them  and  as  terrible  as  it  was  short. 

He  ordered  the  prisoners  to  be  brought  into  the  cen- 
tral court  of  the  fort.  They  were  all  together— men, 
women  and  children.  The  former  bound,  the  latter  wail- 
ing and  sobbing  with  fear. 

'^Separate  the  women  and  children  from  the  men," 
was  his  command. 

"The  women  and  children  shall  be  spared."  But 
they  were  to  be  kept  as  slaves. 

''Are  there  any  among  ye,"  said  he  to  the  men,  "who 
profess  the  faith  of  the  Holy  Catholic  Church  ?" 

Twoof  the  prisoners  answered  in  the  affirmative.  He 
turned  them  over  to  Father  Salvandi,  ordering  their 
bonds  to  be  removed.  Continuing,  he  said  to  the  rest, 
"Are  there  any  among  ye  who,  seeing  the  error  of  their 
ways,  will  renounce  the  heresy  of  Luther  and  come  into 
the  fold  of  the  only  true  church  ?" 

A  dead  silence  followed.  The  captives  looked  mourn- 
fully at  each  other  and  at  the  Adelantado.    But  in  his 


STORY  OF  THE  HUGUENOTS.  69 


set,  cruel  countenance  there  was  no  sign  of  mercy.  "Be 
warned !  To  those  who  recant,  the  church  opens  her 
arms.  To  those  who  will  not,  death  temporal  and  eternal 
is  decreed." 

Moved  with  pity,  but  knowing  it  was  useless  to  utter 
a  word  of  pleading  for  mercy  to  the  prisoners  on  any 
other  terms,  the  priest  lifted  his  crucifix. 

The  silence  was  still  unbroken  and  the  cloud  on  Me- 
lendez'  face  grew  more  sinister. 

"Hear  ye — and  now  say.  Do  you  not  comprehend 
that  your  lives  rest  upon  your  speech  ?  Either  ye  em- 
brace the  safety  that  the  church  offers  or  ye  die  by  the 
halter." 

Then  one  sturdy  soldier  took  a  step  in  front  of  his 
fellows  and,  lifting  up  his  face  proudly,  said  "Pedro  de 
Melendez,  we  are  in  your  power.  You  are  master  of  our 
fort  and  our  mortal  bodies,  but  in  the  face  of  the  death 
you  threaten,  we  say  we  cannot  recant  our  faith  in  the 
true  Church  of  Christ.  We  have  naught  to  do  with 
Rome.  As  we  have  lived  in  our  Lord's  teachings  we  will 
die  faithful  to  them.  We  ask  your  mercy  on  honorable 
terms  only.    We  cannot  take  the  terms  you  offer." 

The  speaker  looked  around  him  at  his  fellows,  and 
over  their  faces  gleamed  an  answering  light. 

"Speaks  this  man  for  the  rest  of  ye  also  ?" 

There  was  a  moment's  silence  and  then  a  sailor, 
stepping  forward,  spoke  out:  "Ay!  ay!  Captain,  what  he 
has  said  we  all  say.  If  death's  the  word  we  are  ready 
for  the  end  of  the  voyage,  whatever  port  our  compass 
brings  us  to." 

"Be  it  even  as  ye  say!"  said  Melendez,  coldly, 
sternly,  without  softening  of  accent  or  show  of  passion. 


FIX)RIDA  HISTORICAL  TALES. 


"Two  hours  hence  these  men  are  to  be  hung  without  the 
fort.  Their  punishment  shall  be  a  warning  to  heretics 
and  invaders  of  the  realm  of  Spain  in  all  ages."  Turn- 
ing to  the  newly  appointed  commander  of  the  fort,  he 
said:  "  See  to  it  that  halters  are  provided  and  that  my 
order  is  executed."  To  the  priest:  ''Reverend  father, 
you  may  talk  with  them  and  if  any  are  converted  give 
them  your  offices." 

Then  arose  the  cries  of  women  and  children  as  the 
first  embraced  their  husbands  for  the  last  time  and  the 
latter  clung  to  their  fathers'  hands.  So  sad,  so  pitiful 
was  the  scene  it  should  have  moved  a  heart  of  stone  to 
mercy,  but  it  did  not. 

Neither  cries  nor  tears  nor  pitiful  beseeching,  on  bent 
knees,  on  their  part,  swerved  Melendez  from  his  purpose 
one  jot.  Nor  would  he  hear  one  word  of  expostulation 
from  the  priest  who  would  fain  have  had  more  time  for 
his  exhortations,  and  who  was  himself  shocked  at  the 
Adelantado's  wholesale  and  relentless  decree. 

Nevertheless,  he  spared  not  his  exhortations  and 
pleadings.  In  his  sight  the  way  of  escape  was  easy. 
But  he  preached  and  promised  in  vain,  and  perhaps, 
judging  from  Melendez'  deeds  afterwards,  had  the  pris- 
oners then  recanted  still  they  would  have  not  been 
spared.  As  it  was,  the  soldier  and  sailor  had  spoken  for 
the  martyrdom  of  all  and  at  the  appointed  time  the  last 
separation  was  made  between  the  men  doomed  to  death 
and  their  companions  in  so  many  miseries  and  misfor- 
tunes, and  they  were  marched  forth  to  a  huge  live  oak 
tree  whose  gnarled  wide  spread  arms  were  dangling  with 
lialters. 

There  they  perished  and  there  their  bodies  were  left 


STORY  OF  THE   HUGUENOTS.  61 


hanging  until  the  same  tree  bore  another  like  ghastly- 
crop  to  mark  the  vengeance  of  De  Gourgues. 

Under  this  tree  was  planted  a  hewn  board  on  which 
was  painted  in  large  characters  the  following: 
"  These  Do  Not  Suffer  as 

Frenchmen  but  as  Heretics 
and  Enemies  to  God." 


FLORIDA  HISTORICAL  TALES. 


CHAPTER  IX. 

HOW   IT  FARED  WITH   RIBAULT  AND    HIS  FLEET. 

Melendez,  having  completely  accomplished  his  pur- 
pose so  far  as  La  Caroline  was  concerned,  being  anxious 
for  the  safety  of  his  new  post  at  St.  Augustine  on  account 
of  the  possibility  that  Ribault's  fleet  might  have  escaped 
the  storm  and  might  return  to  attack  it,  leaving  a  strong 
garrison  to  repair  and  hold  the  fort,  returned"  to  that 
place  with  one  hundred  men.  The  country,  a  low  pine 
woods,  nearly  level,  was  inundated  by  the  recent  rains 
which  made  the  march  a  very  disagreeable  one,  but  the 
return  was  accomplished  more  speedily  than  the  advance 
and  his  appearance  at  St.  Augustine  was  unexpected. 

The  whole  colony  turned  out  to  hail  the  conqueror, 
with  acclamations  of  joy  and  a  Te  Deum  of  praise. 

However,  in  the  midst  of  their  rejoicing  the  two  ves- 
sels lying  side  by  side  in  the  harbor  caught  flre  and  were 
destroyed,  leaving  them  without  any  sea  going  craft.  The 
most  of  their  armament,  however,  had  been  transferred 
to  the  land  some  time  before.  Attention  was  turned  to 
fortifying  position,  as  Melendez  now  saw  the  safety  of 
his  colony  would  depend  altogether  upon  his  ability  to 
defend  himself  on  land. 

The  work  and  privation  brought  on  much  discontent 
and  a  mutinous  disposition  which  nothing  but  fear  of  his 
cruel  determination  restrained  from  open  revolt. 

In  the  meantime  how  fared  it  with  Ribault?  The 
last  we  noted  of  him,  his  vessels  disappeared  from  in 


STORY  OP  THE  HUGUENOTS. 


front  of  St.  Augustine  before  a  north-east  gale  driving  to 
the  southward.  All  night  long  they  battled  with  the 
storm.  Vainly  they  tried  to  beat  off  from  the  shore  but 
could  not  secure  sea  room.  The  next  day  found  them 
nearing  the  outward  curving  point  of  Cape  Canaveral, 
upon  wliich  or  near  by,  finally,  the  whole  squadron  went 
ashore.  One  of  the  vessels  of  heavier  draught  than  the 
others  struck  on  a  shoal  some  distance  out  and  Avent  to 
pieces,  all  the  crew  except  the  captain,  De  le  Grange, 
drowning  in  the  breakers.  The  other  vessels  were  driven 
in  upon  the  beach,  and  as  the  wind  slackened  and  the 
tide  receded,  their  crews  disembarked  safely. 

Some  time  was  passed  in  securing  as  much  as  possi- 
ble from  the  stranded  vessels,  in  waiting  for  the  tempes- 
tuous weather  to  abate  and  in  reconnoitering  the  vicinity. 

Ribault's  men  were  probably  the  first  white  men  to 
view  that  noted  arm  of  the  sea  called  Indian  River. 
They  found  numerous  Indian  villages  whose  inhabitants 
lived  chiefly  on  fish  and  oysters  and  were  not  disposed  to 
be  hostile.  But  the  country  in  the  main  was  barren,  ex- 
cept for  a  few  small  fertile  spots  along  the  river  shores. 

For  awhile  Ribault  made  efforts  to  re-launch  two  or 
three  of  his  vessels  which  were  not  so  mucli  injured  as 
the  rest,  but  was  finally  impelled  to  give  up  that  idea 
in  despair. 

Not  knowing  the  fate  that  had  befallen  La  Caroline, 
it  was  finally  decided  to  march  nortliward  and  regain 
that  point.  Now^iere  could  they  find  tlie  connection  of 
the  long  narrow  peninsula  with  the  mainland  and  the 
hard,  smooth  beach  offered  them  an  easy  road  which 
they  accordingly  took. 

On  the  second  day    afterward    the  advance  guard 


64  FLORIDA  HISTOBIOAIj  TALES. 

reached  Mosquito  Inlet.    Near  this  was  the  usual  village 
of  fishing  Indians,  who  ferried  them  over  the  inlet  in 
their  dug  outs ;  a  process  which  required  considerable  ' 
time  and  resulted  in  dividing  the  force  into  detacliments. 

Owing  to  the  fate  which  finally  befell  the  great  ma- 
jority of  these  inen,  few  records  of  their  discoveries  are 
left  and  we  are  left  chiefly  to  conjecture  in  what  condi- 
tion the  shores  of  the  Lagoon,  tlie  Hillsboro'  and  the 
Halifax  were  as  to  occupancy  by  the  aborigines  who 
were  numerous  but  not  warlike. 

Ribault's  command  still  numbered  over  five  hundred 
men  and  much  of  their  subsistence  had  to  be  obtained 
from  the  natural  resources  of  the  country;  sea  clams, 
fish  and  game  constituting  the  available  supplies. 

They  suffered  inost  from  thirst,  as  nowhere  in  this 
shore  region  of  sand  dunes  are  there  streams,  pools  or 
springs,  only  bear  wallows,  as  they  are  called,  and  shal- 
low wells  at  the  Indian  villages. 

The  latter  part  of  the  march  was  the  worst  in  respect 
to  food;  the  upper  portion  of  the  Halifax,  the  creeks  and 
marshes  lying  between  it  and  the  Matanzas  being  devoid 
of  oysters.  It  was,  therefore,  worn  out  witii  privation 
and  dispirited  by  misfortune  that  the  advance  division 
of  two  hundred  reached  Matanzas  Inlet  wliich  barred 
their  further  progress. 

It  was  a  weary  and  forlorn  body  of  men  that  gath- 
ered on  the  south  side  of  Matanzas  Inlet  and  gazed  across 
its  narrow  channel  at  the  south  point  of  Anastasia  Island. 

Its  waters  were  too  deep  to  wade.  Sharks  abounded 
and  the  tide  currents  in  and  out  made  it  dangerous  even 
for  strong  swimmers  to  assay.  There  were  no  boats  or 
canoes  available. 


STORY  OF  THE   HUGUENOTS.  65 


They  did  not  know  of  the  possibility  of  making  their 
way  across  Matanzas  neck  to  the  mainland,  and  thence 
through  the  pine  woods  to  the  rear  of  St.  Augustine  on 
to  La  Caroline. 

They  were  spirit  broken,  hopeless,  except  the  possi- 
bility of  rejoining  their  comrades,  of  whose  fate  it  was 
impossible  for  them  to  know  anything. 

Their  only  chance,  they  thought,  was  to  regain  the 
shelter  of  the  fort  and  perhaps  succeed  in  devising  some 
means  of  escape  from  this  land  which,  though  not  inhos- 
pitable by  nature  generally,  had,  in  their  case,  been  singu- 
larly full  of  calamity  to  them.  They  little  knew  that 
beyond  the  hammock  lined  shores  across  the  strait,  be- 
yond the  smiling  waters  of  the  Matanzas,  winding  in 
•graceful  curves  between  woods  and  marshes,  a  human 
tiger  was  already  preparing  to  bathe  himself  in  their 
blood.  Surely  had  they  known  then,  what  they  were  to 
know  soon,  with  time  to  measure  their  deadly  peril  and 
the  merciless  cruelty  of  Melendez,  even  then  with  but 
one  stout  hearted  leader  they  might  have  turned  the 
scales  in  their  favor  and  meted  out  to  the  Spaniards  the 
justice  they  deserved. 

But  it  was  not  to  be.  Fate  was  against  them.  Prov- 
idence had  forgotten  them  and  already  their  hours  were 
numbered  almost  to  a  man. 

The  vine  clad  hills  of  France  were  never  more  to 
greet  their  homesick  vision,  at  least  as  mortal  men. 
Worn  out  with  marching  in  the  hot  September  sun,  over 
the  beach  sands ;  strangely  red  as  if  already  stained  with 
blood,  witli  the  glaring  sea  on  one  side  and  high  sand 
banks  covered  with  an  almost  impenetrable  jungle  of 
saw  palmetto  on  the  other,  they  made  their  bivouac  fires ; 


FLORIDA  HI8TORIOAL  TALES. 


cooked  oysters,  clams,  fish  or  such  other  provender  as 
their  scanty  stores  afforded ;  cut  palmetto  leaves  for  beds 
and  slept  the  sleep  of  exhaustion.  That  night  Melendez 
learned  from  Indians  that  white  men  had  readied  Ma- 
tanzas  coming  from  the  southward.  He  knew  they  were 
some  of  Bibault's  men  and  rightly  conjectured  their  con- 
dition. 

He  did  not  know,  however,  whether  the  whole  of 
Ribault^s  force  was  there  or  whether  they  might  not  be 
divided  so  as  to  approach  his  settlement  in  front  and 
rear.  He  did  not  dare  to  draw  his  whole  force  from  St. 
Augustine,  so  chose  sixty  of  his  best  armed  soldiers  and 
placing  them  on  board  bateaus  made  his  way  rapidly 
down  the  Matanzas.  He  was  well  aware  that  if  the 
Huguenots  were  disposed  to  fight  and  could  cross  the 
inlet,  he  could  not  oppose  his  sixty  to  their  five  hundred, 
but  with  the  advantage  of  position  on  his  side  he  ex- 
pected to  employ,  if  necessary,  such  arts  of  craft  and 
dissimulation,  deception  and  treachery,  as  would  be  nec- 
essary to  make  up  for  the  difference  in  numbers. 

His  sagacity  and  courage  as  a  soldier  certainly 
almost  equalled  his  brutality  and  remorseless  cruelty  as 
a  man.        * 


STORY  OP  THE  HUGUENOTS.  67 


CHAPTER  X. 

THE  FATE  OF    THE     SIEUR     DE     LE     GRANGE     AND    THE 
FIRST   DETACHMENT  AT   MATANZAS   INLET. 

Melendez,  having  loaded  his  bateaus  with  soldiers 
chosen  for  determined  and  ferocious  character,  from  all 
his  garrison,  especially  for  this  undertaking — one  he  had 
resolved  should  be  at  least  equally  as  terror  striking  to- 
all  enemies  of  Spain  as  the  massacre  at  La  Caroline — 
left  St.  Augustine  long  before  daylight. 

The  boats  were  propelled  by  skilled  oarsmen  and  be- 
side the  men,  contained  the  necessary  provisions  for  a 
halt  at  Matanzas,  which  might  be  more  or  less  prolonged 
by  events  not  to  be  calculated  beforehand. 

The  weather  had  at  last  subsided  into  gentleness  and 
cloudlessness,  forming  a  great  contrast  to  its  late  turbu- 
lence and  discomfort. 

The  air  was  balmy  with  the  odors  of  flowers  and 
spicy  woods,  with  just  enough  of  the  sea  flavor  in  it  to 
make  it  perfection.  The  stars  shone  upon  the  winding 
waters  of  the  serene  river,  their  reflections  rivalled  in 
brilliancy  by  the  phosphorescent  gleams,  evoked  by 
swiftly  plied  oars  and  trailing  wakes,  as  they  sped  on, 
bound  on  an  errand  of  blood  and  treachery  so  horrible, 
not  all  these  waters  nor  those  of  the  near-by  sea  can 
wash  the  stains  away  in  all  the  ages  to  come. 

Occasionally,  in  the  forepart  of  the  voyage,  some  boat 
crew  chanted  a  rude  war  song  or  even  hymn,  but  as  the 
mornmg  sun  began  to  streak  the  eastern  sky  with  red 
aud  gold,  silence  fell  upon  them  all. 


^  FLORIDA  HISTORICAL  TALES. 


Then  sunrise  came  and  with  it  the  full  blaze  of  a 
beautiful  October  day.  Stealing  along  the  shores  of 
Anastasia  Island,  Melendez  sought  a  cove  behind  a  ham- 
mock grove  close  to  the  inlet  and  disembarked  his  men. 
Here  a  repast  was  served  to  all  and  then  their  leader, 
accompanied  by  a  few  soldiers,  went  forward  to  recon- 
noitre. Climbing  a  live  oak  ■tree  upon  a  shell  mound 
near  the  verge  of  the  sand  point  which  formed  the  south 
end  of  Anastasia  Island,  Melendez  concealed,  had  a  full 
view  of  the  opposite  shore  of  the  narrow  strait  and  saw 
the  Frenchmen  attempting  to  build  a  raft  with  which  to 
cross,  but  for  which  purpose  there  was  little  material 
suitable  to  be  found.  By  his  count  tliere  could  not  be 
more  than  two  hundred  of  them.  But  this  was  too  large 
a  number  to  permit  landing  in  an  armed  body,  so  taking 
the  initiative,  with  a  diabolical  plan  prompted  by  the 
evidently  disheartened  condition  of  the  French,  he  de- 
scended the  tree,  emerged  from  the  thick  underbrush 
which  concealed  his  force  and  advanced  boldly  alone  to 
the  shore,  signaling  for  a  conference. 

After  a  brief  consultation  among  the  French,  a  bold 
Gascon,  who  was  a  good  swimmer,  sprang  into  the  water 
and  swam  across  the  strait,  which  was  not  more  than  an 
hundred  yards  in  width. 

After  the  military  salute  had  been  exchanged,  Me- 
lendez demanded :  "  Who  are  the  people  whom  I  see  on 
the  other  side?"  "  We  are  Frenchmen  who  have  suffered 
shipwreck." 

"  What  Frenchmen?" 

"  The  people  of  M.  Ribault,  Captain  General  of  Flor- 
ida, commissioned  by  the  King  of  France." 

*' Neither  France  nor  Frenchmen  have  a  right  to 


STORY  OF  THE  HUGUENOTS. 


Florida.  I,  Pedro  Melendez  de  Avila,  am  Adelantado  of 
all  Florida  and  hold  it  in  behalf  of  Philip,  King  of  Spain; 
Go  back  to  your  commander  and  say  to  him  that  I  am 
here  with  my  army  to  prevent  any  invasion  of  thi^  land 
and  punish  the  invaders." 

The  Gascon  returned  and  delivered  the  words  of  Me- 
lendez to  his  disheartened  and  bewildered  companions. 

What  should  they  do  ?  It  was  true  that  but  one  man 
showed  himself  to  bar  their  passage  of  the  strait,  but 
scouts  had  caught  sight  of  one  of  the  bateaus  and  even 
as  they  considered,  the  flag  of  Spain  was  displayed  and 
they  believed  Melendez'  statement. 

Wretched  with  privation  and  broken  in  spirit,  even 
those  heretofore  the  bravest  were  anxious  to  obtain  any 
terms  which  might  give  them  a  chance  for  their  lives 
and  ultimate  return  to  France ;  so  the  Gascon  was  per- 
suaded to  return  and  ask  safe  conduct  for  four  officers,  to 
be  taken  across  in  the  bateau,  to  negotiate  terms. 

To  this,  consent  was  readily  given  and  the  Sieur  de  le 
Grange  and  three  others  were  ferried  over  under  a  flag  of 
truce.  Melendez'  men  were  so  disposed,  under  cover  of 
the  forest,  that  the  French  officers  could  not  make  out 
their  number  when  they  w^ere  brought  to  the  camp  at  the 
cove.  Six  well  armed  men  only  constituted  the  immedi- 
ate guard  of  the  general,  while  the  boatmen  attended  the 
camp  fire  and  preparations  for  the  noonday  meal,  pur- 
posely made  as  ostentatious  as  possible. 

Their  leader  told  the  story  of  their  mishaps,  ship- 
wreck and  sufferings,  hoping  to  arouse  a  feeling  of  hu- 
manity, and  asked  assistance  to  reach  La  Caroline  from 
whence  they  hoped  to  return  to  France  and  leave  Florida 
to  his  peaceful  possession. 


70  FLORIDA  HISTORICAL  TALES. 


To  this  Melendez  replied :  "Senor,  I  have  made  my- 
self master  of  your  fort;  1  have  slain  the  garrison,  spar- 
ing the  women,  the  children  and  such  as  were  Catholics 
or  abjured  their  heresy,  and  have  the  fort  well  garri- 
soned. You  cannot  go  there."  Had  a  thunderbolt  fallen 
at  their  feet  they  could  not  have  been  more  surprised, 
and  noting  a  look  of  doubt  after  rallying  from  the  first 
shock  Melendez  continued:  ''If  you  doubt, or  hope  it  is 
not  true,  I  will  soon  convince  you.  I  have  brought  hither 
two  soldiers  whom  because  they  claimed  to  be  Catholics 
I  spared.  You  will  doubtless  know  them.  After  you 
have  dined  you  shall  hear  the  truth  from  their  lips  as 
freely  as  you  will." 

He  then  retired,  ordering  them  to  be  served.  They 
fell  to  like  famished  men — as,  indeed,  they  were — after 
which  the  two  captives  were  allowed  to  communicate 
with  them  and  freely  tell  the  cruel  history  of  La  Caro- 
line. Nothing  was  concealed.  Melendez'  policy  was  to 
render  them  abject  with  fear — and  he  succeeded. 

After  an  hour's  absence  he  returned.  ''Are  you  sat- 
isfied," he  asked,  "of  the  truth  of  what  I  told  you  ?" 

Then  the  Sieur  answered:  "We  cannot  doubt  that  it 
is  even  so.  But  this  does  not  lessen  our  claim  upon  your 
humanity  as  men  who  have  been  deprived  of  all  other 
hope.  There  is  peace  between  France  and  Spain,  alliance 
between  our  sovereigns.  We  will  be  glad  to  leave  you  in 
undisputed  possession  of  this  country.  Give  us  but  'as- 
sistance to  leave  it  and  henceforth  there  will  be  none  to 
dispute  your  claims." 

"If  you  were  not  heretics  and  I  had  the  ships  it 
might  be  so,  but  it  cannot  be,"  was  the  stern  answer.  "I 
have  sworn  to  extirpate  heresy  wherever  I  find  it.    As 


STORY  OF  THE  HUGUENOTS.  71 


Catholics  you  might  have  claims  upon  me,  but  you  are 

not." 

'^Nevertheless  we  are  men,  human,  made  equally  in 
the  image  of  God  and,  if  not  at  the  same  altar,  serve 
Him  also.  Assist  us  to  leave  this  country — this  is  all  we 
demand." 

''Demand  nothing  of  me.  Yield  yourselves  at  dis- 
cretion. Deliver  up  your  arms  and  ensigns  and  I  will  do 
with  you  as  God  shall  inspire  me.  Consent  to  these 
terms  or  do  what  pleases  you.  I  promise  you  neither 
truce  nor  friendship.  Go  and  report  to  your  companions 
and  give  me  their  answer." 

The  four  then  told  him,  that  if  he  would  assure  them 
their  lives,  they  would  give  a  ransom  of  twenty  thousand 
ducats  for  the  whole  company. 

The  answer  was  characteristic  of  this  abnormal  fan- 
atic, the  cruel,  relentless,  unpurchasable  human  tiger: 

"Though  but  a  poor  soldier  I  am  not  capable  of  being 
bought.  If  I  am  moved  to  do  an  act  of  grace  it  will  not 
be  your  money  that  will  move  me  to  it.  I  tell  you  as  a 
soldier  and  an  officer  holding  a  high  commission  from 
my  King,  though  the  heavens  and  the  earth  mingle  I 
change  no  resolution  I  have  made.  Unconditional  sur- 
render, first  of  your  arms  and  then  of  yourselves,  is  what 
I  demand..    Time  passes.    The  boat  is  waiting,  go." 

It  will  scarcely  be  thought  credible  that  men  yet 
having  arms,  power  to  use  them  and  numbers  sufficient 
to  make  at  least  a  respectable  resistance,  would  listen  to 
such  demands. 

But  they  did,  even  after  a  full  report  had  been  made. 
Some  were  simply  reduced  to  apathy  by  despair.  Others 
argued  that  it  was  the  vigorous  resistance  made  by  a 


72  FLORIDA  HISTORICAL  TALES. 


gallant  few  of  La  Caroline's  garrison  that  had  incensed 
him  to  destroy  them  so  mercilessly.  "It  is  likely,"  said 
they,  "that  if  we  surrender  peaceably  he  will  give  us  our 
lives." 

But  little  time  was  required  to  determine  their  sub- 
mission. The  returning  bateau  was  loaded  with  the  four 
officers,  arquebuses,  pistols,  swords,  bucklers,  their  whole 
complement  of  munitions  and  a  complete  surrender  was 
tendered. 

The  Frenchmen  thus  disarmed  were  brought  over 
and  with  a  refinement  of  cruelty  scarcely  comprehensi- 
ble w^ere  given  something  to  eat.  After  this  they  were 
asked  if  any  among  them  were  Catholics,  for  the  one 
thing  on  earth  this  man  feared  was  the  church,  nor  that 
to  any  greater  extent  than  to  yield  to  its  imperative  de- 
mand for  protection  to  its  adherents. 

It  is  said  there  were  but  eight  amongst  them  who 
claimed  they  were  Catholics.  Tliese  were  set  apart  to 
be  conveyed  to  St.  Augustine.  The  rest  were  then  bound 
and  driven  in  squads  of  six  to  a  small  glade  away  from 
the  camp  and  as  they  arrived  were  set  upon  their  knees 
and  shot  or  stabbed,  each  party  not  knowing  the  fate  of 
the  preceding  until  the  last  moment. 

What  horrors  occurred  can  not  be  imagined.  But 
neither  prayers,  entreaties,  groans,  nor  the  red  tide  of 
human  blood  poured  out  upon  the  thirsty  sands,  turned 
the  monsters  from  their  work.  Those  who  did  it  stripped 
the  slain  and  acquh'ed  much  booty  from  the  bodies  of 
the  dead,  over  which  was  thrown  a  covering  of  loose  sand 
and  leaves;  and  so  perished  miserably  the  first  detach- 
ment of  Ribault's  men  at  the  place  which  henceforth 
bore  the  name  of  Matanzas  or  "tl>e  place  of  slaughter." 


STORY  OF  THE  HUGUENOTS.  73 


CHAPTER  XI. 

RIBAULT  AT   MATANZAS. 

Melendez  hastened  back  early  the  next  morning  to 
St.  Augustine  with  the  few  wretched  men  spared  from 
tlie  massacre. 

He  was  welcomed  as  a  conquering  hero,  with  all  the 
pomp  and  display  that  was  possible,  even  including  a  Te 
Deum  and  church  services,  so  low  had  fallen  the  stand- 
ard of  Christianity  in  that  dark  age  of  murder  and 
rapine,  especially  amongst  the  Spanish  people,  for  while 
other  nations  of  Europe  had  in  a  measure  become  inocu- 
lated with  the  spirit  of  bloodshed,  and  wars  convulsed  all 
Christendom,  there  was  amongst  the  rest  some  humanity 
remaining  to  modify  brutality. 

Scarcely,  however,  had  his  soldiers  cleaned  their 
garments  and  their  weapons  from  the  blood  of  the  slaugh- 
tered Frenchmen,  when  the  watchman  left  at  Matanzas 
sent  word  that  a  large  body  of  Ribault's  men  had  con- 
gregated in  the  same  spot  on  the  south  side  of  the  inlet, 
and  were  making  preparations  to  cross,  or  at  least  were 
trying  to,  by  continuing  the  building  of  the  raft  com- 
menced by  the  preceding  body. 

The  news  created  great  excitement  amongst  the 
whole  garrison,  who  were  clamorous  this  time  to  accom- 
pany Melendez,  being  incited  thereto  by  the  display  of 
the  spoils  brought  home  from  the  late  massacre,  and  their 
now  confident  belief  in  the  invincibility,  and  power  to  se- 
cure certain  triumph,  of  their  leader. 


74  FLORIDA   HISTORICAL  TALES. 


Believing  that  the  main  body  of  Ribault's  men  were 
at  last  in  his  toils,  Melendez  selected  one  hundred  and 
fifty  men,  the  flower  of  his  force,  and  embarked  them  as 
before  in  bateaus  and  Indian  pirogues  or  large  canoes 
hewn  from  logs,  and  retraced  his  way  to  Matanzas. 

The  preparations  and  the  embarking  of  this  large 
body  delayed  the  expedition  so  that  it  was  nearly  night- 
fall ere  he  reached  that  vicinity. 

As  they  approached  this  point  many  zapotes,  or 
southern  vultures,  were  either  wheeling  in  the  sky  over- 
head or  darkened  the  dead  limbs  of  trees  with  their  ill- 
omened  plumage.  As  his  eyes  rested  on  them  the  sombre 
face  of  the  Adelantado  grew  darker  and  more  sinister. 
''See,  Ochoa,  those  birds  are  hungry  for  more  French- 
men!   By  the  mass!  they  shall  have  another  feast!" 

It  was  not  Melendez'  intention  to  alarm  the  French 
until  the  proper  moment,  so  he  camped  on  shore  where 
his  force  would  not  be  observed  for  the  night,  but  before 
dawn  had  them  disposed  at  the  edge  of  the  scrubby 
growth  near  the  inlet. 

With  the  dawn  came  the  discovery  on  the  part  of  the 
French  of  the  Spaniards,  drawn  up  in  order  of  battle  on 
the  opposite  side.    Their  drums  sounded  the  alarm. 

The  royal  standard  of  France  was  unfurled  and  the 
troops  gathered  in  martial  array.  Ribault,  although  sick 
at  heart  witli  the  demoralization  of  his  forces  from  want, 
hardship  and  homesickness,  still  observed  military  ex- 
ternals. 

Melendez,  seeing  this  display  of  determination,  or- 
dered his  people  to  breakfast  as  if  it  concerned  him  not, 
and  while  the  preparations  were  going  on,  j)romenaded 
the  shore  of  the  inlet  with  a  few  of  his.  officers,  as  indif- 


STORY  OF  THE  HUGUENOTS.  75 


ferently  as  if  there  were  no  opposing  array  on  the  other 
side. 

Then  the  commander  of  the  Huguenots  displayed  a 
flag  of  truce  and  the  trumpets  sounded  a  parley. 

By  the  time  breakfast  was  over  the  tide  had  so  far 
run  out  that  one  of  the  French  captives  and  a  soldier  of 
Ribault  could  wade  out  within  conversing  distance  of 
each  other.  The  latter  requested  that  some  One  might 
be  sent  over  with  a  boat  to  carry  a  herald  across  the 
strait  for  a  conference. 

The  boat  was  sent  over  and  carried  back  one  of  Ri- 
bault's  officers.  This  man  was  totally  ignorant  of  what 
had  befallen  the  first  detachment.  He  related  briefly 
the  desires  of  his  commander  which  were  to  reach  the 
fortress  of  La  Caroline,  praying  the  assistance  of  the 
Spaniards  to  enable  him  to  do  so,  promising  peace  and 
amity  and  to  leave  the  country  as  soon  as  possible. 

In  answer  to  questions  the  envoy  told  of  the  wreck  of 
the  squadron,  and  gave  the  number  of  men  yet  left  as 
three  hundred  and  fifty,  amongst  whom  were  gentlemen 
of  France  well  able  to  reward  assistance. 

Melendez  heard  him  through  without  betraying  by 
his  looks  any  signs  of  hostility  or  ill  will. 

He  must  first  get  his  enemies  into  his  power. 

''I  will  send  over  a  boat  with  a  surety  of  safe  conduct 
to  M.  Ribault  and  such  officers  as  he  may  select  to  ac- 
company him,  to  confer  with  me  as  to  what  may  be  done 
to  meet  his  wishes,  with  the  j^rivilege  of  returning  at  his 
leisure  to  his  own  men." 

Ribault  crossed  the  strait  accompanied  by  eight  of 
his  officers.  They  were  courteously  received  by  the 
Adelantado  and  a  collation  served.    Disarmed  by  this 


76  FLORIDA  HISTORICAL  TALES. 

treatment,  the  frank  sailor-soldier  told  Melendez  all  the 
recent  events  and  disasters  that  had  befallen  them.  At 
times,  he  was  troubled  by  noting  on  the  persons  of  Melen- 
dez' companions,  ornaments,  swords  and  bucklers,  which 
he  recognized  as  belonging  to  some  of  his  late  compan- 
ions and  finally  hearing  of  the  capture  of  La  Caroline 
and  of  the  advance  division,  was  aghast  at  these  circum- 
stances \\^hich  showed  how  completely  his  first  hopes 
were  nullified.  Finally  he  said:  "Monsieur,  I  cannot 
believe  that  you  will  serve  us  evilly.  Our  kings  are 
friends  and  brothers  in  peace  with  each  other ;  we  wish 
only  to  return  to  our  own  country.  We  will  leave  this  to 
you.  Give  us  the  opportunity  and  we  will  give  our  parole 
of  honor  on  all  that  is  sacred  to  all  of  us,  that  never  again 
will  any  of  us  serve  against  you  or  your  followers." 

To  these  words  Melendez  replied  as  he  had  done  to 
the  leaders  of  the  first  detachment,  with  a  demand  for 
their  unconditional  surrender,  but  by  implication  at 
least,  held  out  the  hope  of  mercy. 

No  argument  or  persuasion  could  induce  him  to  do 
more.  It  so  happened  that  Alphonse  D'Erlach  was  one 
of  ^he  officers  who  accompanied  Ribault.  It  also  hap- 
pened that  one  of  those  spared  from  the  massacre  because 
he  was  a  Catholic  was  a  soldier  from  Lorraine  and  spoke 
a  dialect  that  none  of  the  Spaniards  understood,  but 
D'Erlach  did.  The  man  had  served  under  him  and  was 
attached  to  him.  In  serving  the  collation,  this  soldier 
had  an  opportunity  to  speak  to  him  in  the  proffering 
of  victuals  and  said  in  his  patois,  as  if  he  had  naturally 
dropped  into  it,  ''Monsieur,  laugh  as  I  hand  this  bread  to 
you,  as  if  I  joked;  but  take  heed!  Trust  not  this  man. 
He  means  blood.    There,  where  the  vultures  are,  lie  our 


STORY  OF  THE  HUGUENOTS.  77 


dead  comrades."    So  saying  he  broke  one  of  the  ship 
biscuits  and  out  of  it  a  worm  fell. 

Then  D'Erlach  slapped  him  on  the  shoulder  with  the 
open  palm  and,  laughing,  said  'Thou  doest  well  to  serve 
bread  and  meat  together." 


78  FliORIDA  HI8T0BICAL.  TALES. 


CHAPTER  XII. 

D'ERLACH'S  warning  to  RIBAULT — NEGOTIATIONS  FOR 
SURRENDER. 

D'Erlach's  keen  eye  had  noted,  even  more  closely 
than  Bibault,  the  indications  presented  by  the  trophies 
of  the  late  massacre,  in  the  hands  or  on  the  persons  of  a 
number  of  those  in  the  Spanish  force  by  which  they  were 
surrounded.  With  suspicions  made  still  more  active  by 
the  Lorrainer's  words,  he  studied  closely  the  dark  face  of 
the  Adelantado,  and  mentally  concluded  there  was  un- 
limited treachery  and  ferocity  in  the  soul  of  the  Astur- 
ian.  For  himself  he  decided  that  he  would  not  trust  to 
the  mercy  of  Melendez,  at  least  without  a  pledge,  and 
when  Ribault  asked  for  his  advice  he  said : 

^'Before  any  arrangement  is  made,  looking  towards 
surrender,  let  a  council  of  all  our  force  be  called." 

Ribault  then  informed  Melendez  that  he  had  with 
him  many  gentlemen  of  family  and  that  he  could  not  de- 
cide without  consulting  them.  He  therefore  asked  per- 
mission to  return  to  his  camp  for  that  purpose.  Consent 
was  given  to  this — the  Spanish  general  adding  a  word  as 
to  the  advisability  of  throwing  themselves,  without  un- 
necessary trouble  or  delay,  upon  his  mercy,  he  being  dis- 
posed by  his  conference  with  M.  Ribault  to  devise  some 
plan  by  which  the  desires  of  the  French  to  leave  the 
country  could  be  accomplished. 

With  this  the  general  of  the  French  recrossed  the 
strait  accompanied  by  D'Erlach,  Ottigny  and  the  rest. 


STORY  OP  THE  HUGUENOTS.  79 


The  buglers  sounded  the  call  to  the  standard,  and 
with  the  declining  sun  of  an  October  day,  pouring  the 
splendor  of  its  rays  upon  the  surrounding  waters  and  the 
sand  beach  on  the  south  side  of  the  inlet,  the  Huguenots 
gathered  in  a  council  of  war  decisive  of  their  own  fate,  in 
full  view  of  the  Spanisli  forces  on  the  opposite  side  and 
almost  within  hearing. 

Ribault  opened  the  consultation  by  saying: 

''Brothers  and  comrades  all,  no  matter  what  the  dis- 
tinctions of  rank  may  be,  you  have  yourselves  seen, 
across  these  narrow  waters,  how  the  general  of  the  Span- 
iards received  us.  But  you  could  not  know  what  passed 
between  us  nor  is  it,  perhaps,  necessary  to  multiply 
words.  It  all  comes  to  this:  he  demands  our  uncondi- 
tional surrender,  proffering  to  do  what  he  can  to  enable 
us  to  leave  the  country.  In  what  way  or  when,  he  says 
not. 

"I  cannot  conceal  from  you  that  he  has  captured  La 
Caroline  and  slain  most  of  the  garrison."  [Melendez  did 
not  tell  him  of  the  escape  of  Laudonniere.]  "In  proof  of 
which  I  have  seen  and  conversed  with  two  of  your  for- 
mer comrades  who  solemnly  affirm  the  truth  of  his 
declaration. 

''He  has  also  captured  the  advance  detachment 
which  reached  this  point  under  the  Sieur  de  le  Grange  a 
week  ago,  the  most  of  whom,  because  they  resisted,  per- 
ished. This  I  am  convinced  will  be  our  fate,  if  we  do  not 
placate  him." 

Then  D'Erlach  arose  from  the  fragment  of  coquina 
rock  upon  which  he  had  been  sitting  and  earnestly  en- 
treated Ribault  and  all  present  not  to  place  themselves 
in  the  power  of  the  treacherous  Spaniard,  without  at  least, 


80  fijobida  historioal  tales. 

a  solemii*surety  that  they  should  not  be  treated  as  beasts 
fit  only  for  slaughter,  but  as  men  and  soldiers. 

He  told  them  of  the  garments,  swords  and  bucklers 
which  he  had  seen  among  their  enemies,  evidently  taken 
from  their  slaughtered  comrades.  He  could  not  give  his 
informant's  name  for  fear  it  would  cost  that  one's  life, 
but  stated  that  he  had  been  informed  De  le  Grange  and 
his  detachment  had  been  basely,  cruelly  slaughtered,  as 
their  comrades  at  La  Caroline  had  been  also. 

''Will  you  trust  the  mercy  of  such  a  man  ?  Look  j^ou 
at  the  vultures  yonder.  They  circle  above  the  same 
slaughter  pen  to  which  this  human  tiger  would  lead  you 
all!  Yea,  and  if  he  should  spare  your  lives,  tliere  is 
naught  but  torture  and  slavery  before  you.  For  one,  I 
say,  better  die  sword  in  hand  in  fair  battle  than  let  the 
assassin's  dagger  have  an  easy,  certain  mark.  True,  it 
seems  there  is  but  little  choice.  There  is  no  outlet  this 
way  for  us  save  the  gate  of  death.  But  if  we  cannot  cross 
this  strait  in  the  face  of  our  enemy  neither  can  he  cross 
to  this  side  without  our  consent  as  long  as  we  have  arms 
and  will  to  use  them. 

''My  good  sword  has  temper  to  it  yet,  and  I  will  not 
let  it  leave  my  hand  without  conditions."  So  spoke  the 
gallant  young  Frenchman,  once  a  guardsman  at  the 
court.  Such,  too,  was  the  resolution  quickened  in  the 
hearts  of  many  of  his  hearers.  But  others,  like  Ribault, 
were  hopeful  that  Melendez  would  show  them  clemency, 
and  so  the  camp  was  divided.  Chevalier  D'Ottigny 
finally  proposed  a  compromise  plan.  This  was  to  offer 
ransom  and  the  cost  of  transportation  to  France,  or  if 
Melendez  would  accept  their  aid  there  were  many  who 
would  remain  witli  him  to  help  colonize  and  hold  the 


% 
STOBY  OF  THE  HUGUENOTS.  81 

country — not  knowing  that  the  other  detachment  had 
unavailingly  made  similar  propositions. 

To  this  even  D'Erlach  consented,  with  but  little  idea, 
however,  that  the  proposition  would  be  accepted. 

Again  Ilibault  crossed  to  the  landing  to  meet  Melen- 
dez. 

"Part  of  my  people  only  are  willing  to  surrender  at 
discretion,  but  all  will  give  up  their  arms  and  subject 
themselves  to  your  orders,  if  you  will  take  ransom  for 
them.  I  am  desired  to  offer  you  thirty  thousand  ducats 
and  the  proffer  of  service  on  the  part  of  many  of  them  if 
you  will  take  them,  to  hold  and  colonize  this  land." 

For  a  moment  Melendez'  face  assumied  a  cruel,  fierce 
look  and  he  seemed  about  to  burst  out  into  a  blaze  of 
wrath,  but,  after  a  momentary  pause,  a  pleasanter  ex- 
pression took  its  place.  In  that  moment  he  determined 
to  send  back  Ribault  to  his  camp  inspired  with  false 
hopes. 

''Understand  me,  Senor!  I  cannot  change  the  cartel, 
but  this  I  will  say;  the  ransom  will  satisfy  my  soldiers 
instead  of  plunder,  and  I  shall  be  able  to  make  your  as- 
sistance, while  awaiting  transportation  home,  of  use  to. 
me." 

It  was  arranged  at  last  that  in  the  morning  Ribault 
was  to  make  a  final  report.  As  the  shades  of  night  fell, 
the  opposing  campfires  glared  at  each  other  from  the  two 
sides  of  the  Inlet.  Sentinels  were  set  on  each  shore. 
Both  parties  made  their  evening  meal,  after  which  an 
animated  discussion  took  place  in  the  Huguenot  camp  as 
to  the  acceptance  of  the  proposition.  Ribault,  lured  on 
by  the  remembrance  of  the  Adelantado's  courtesies  to 
him,  held  that  the  proposition  to  ransom  was  definitaly 


FLORIDA  HISTORICAL  TALES. 


accepted  and  that  therefore  in  the  morning  Melendez 
should  be  notified  of  their  intention  to  surrender  that  he 
inij^ht  direct  its  manner. 

Ribault's  argument  in  favor  of  trusting  Melendez 
and  surrendering,  was  supported  by  Ottigny  and  others, 
but  was  stoutly  contested  by  D'Erlach,  Francis  La  CaillCr 
Pierre  Rotrou  and  Robert  D'Alembert. 

There  had  been  much  friction  between  D'Erlach  and 
his  commander  before ;  the  daring  and  courageous  Chev- 
alier having  time  and  again  urged  Ribault  to  more  de- 
cisive and  spirited  action,  willing,  as  he  phrased  it,  ''To 
loose  all  or  win  all  upon  one  throw;"  but  as  yet  he  had 
not  set  himself  so  openly  in  opposition. 

Now,  however,  he  felt  that  a  decisive  hour  had  come. 
He  knew,  that  discouraged  with  hardships  which  thefy 
had  ill  endured ;  with  little  chance  of  relief  coming  in 
any  shape;  a  large  portion  of  the  little  army  was  dis- 
posed to  give  up  the  struggle  on  almost  any  terms.  For 
himself,  he  could  see  nothing  hopeful  in  the  talk  of  Me- 
lendez ;  no  definite  promises  or  pledges,  only  the  desire 
to  get  the  French  completely  in  his  power  to  do  with 
them  as  he  pleased.  With  all  due  deference  to  the  un- 
fortunate commander  he  addressed  the  council  as  fol- 
lows : 

''Is  it  not  enough,  my  comrades,  that  this  man,  who 
has  slaughtered  our  brethren,  will  make  no  promise  of 
amity?  Will  give  no  pledge  of  safety  even  to  our  lives 
alone?  As  for  me,  I  would  sooner  trust  the  incarnate 
fiend  himself  than  this  Melendez.  He  but  aims  to  get 
us  hi  his  power  and  then  destroy  us  utterly. 

"The  savage  has  not  a  heart  so  utterly  stony  as  that 
of  this  Spaniard !    He  hath  fed  on  blood  until  lie  craves 


STORY  OF  THE  HUGUENOTS.  83' 


it.  Mark  this!  You  go  to  your  deaths  when  you  go  to 
him.  The  tiger  invites  you  to  a  banquet  where  the  guest 
brings  the  repast. 

''Surely  we  are  yet  strong  enough,  if  we  use  our 
weapons,  to  make  him  concede  by  force  what  he  will  not 
otherwise.  We  are  three  hundred  and  fifty  soldiers — 
why  even  treat  witli  this  cut  throat?  Why  cross  this 
strait  at  all? 

"We  still  have  two  courses  open  to  us.  We  can  se- 
lect some  remote,  defensible  point  for  settlement  and  re- 
main as  long  in  the  land  as  we  desire ;  or  we  can  retire 
to  where  our  grounded  vessels  are,  repair  or  build  one, 
and  yet  get  back  to  France.  I  for  one  will  not  surrender 
unless  he  gives  us  honorable  terms!" 

Then  Ribault,  broken  in  spirit,  utterly  exhausted  by 
his  struggle  with  fate,  recapitulated  his  persuasion  that 
Melendez  would  be  merciful;  that  he  would  deal  in  good 
faith  with  them,  and  finally  said : 

"Comrades,  I  command  no  longer.  To-morrow,  for 
myself  and  those  who  have  decided  to  do  likewise,  I 
shall  make  a  surrender  upon  the  terms  of  the  Adelan- 
tado ;  but  I  absolve  ye  all  from  any  obligation  to  follow 
me  in  so  doing, 

•'Monsieur  D'Erlach  and  you  who  have  protested 
against  surrender,  you  arc  at  liberty  to  refuse,  and  to  do 
as  you  may  deem  fit.  Whatever  agreement  I  may  con- 
sent to,  shall  not  include  those  who  do  not  accede  to  it. 
~B\.\t  before  we  part,  and  it  is  likely  to  be  forever,  so  far 
as  this  life  is  concerned,  for  it  does  seem  as  if  in  neither 
course  is  there  much  to  hope  for  that  may  bring  us  to- 
gether in  peace  and  safety  again,  let  me  say,  that  in 
wh  tsoever  I  have  done  or  may  do,  there  is  no  other  mo- 


^  FLORIDA   HISTORICAL   TALES. 

tive  than  for  our  mutual  good  and  to  relieve  our  common 
perils.  Circumstances,  yea  the  very  elements,  have  been 
against  me,  and  disaster  beyond  human  power  to  pre- 
vent, in  the  will  of  Providence,  has  overruled  my  will." 

He  paused  a  moment  and  looking  around  the  circle 
with  a  lingering  glance  into  each  one's  face,  he  placed  his 
hand  upon  his  bosom  and  pathetically  finished: 

"Do  you  not  know,  my  comrades,  that  the  surrender 
I  am  forced  to  make  breaks  my  heart?  For  myself,  I  ex- 
pect nothing.  I  shall  never  see  fair  France  again.  If  it 
be  God's  will,  so  be  it!  But  perhaps  for  you  I  may  gain 
some  easing  of  your  difficulties,  some  chance  of  final  re- 
turn. 'Tis  late ;  you  are  dsmissed.  God  care  for  us  all 
to-morrow!" 

So  saying,  he  retired  to  his  rude  quarters  and  cast 
himself  down  upon  his  couch  of  leaves  to  catch  a  fevered 
repose. 

Half  to  himself  D'Erlach  murmured  as  he  departed, 
in  Latin,  for  he  was  gentle  born  and  bred,  '"Quem  Deus 
vult  perdere  prius  dementat !  Poor  man.  He  goes  to  the 
sacrifice." 

He  then  conferred  briefly  with  tliose  of  the  same 
opinion  with  him,  that  it  were  better  far  to  keep  out  of 
the  hands  of  the  Spaniard  and  trust  themselves  entirely 
to  fortune  and  the  savages,  bidding  them  to  beseech 
their  followers  not  to  go  with  Ribault  to  certain  destruc- 
tion, but  to  follow  liim  back  to  Canaveral,  where  many 
supplies  could  yet  be  obtained  from  the  stranded  vessels, 
through  whose  proper  use  they  might  even  yet  make 
good  their  escape  or  hold  their  own  indefinitely. 

Heated  with  the  discussion,  but  little  of  which  have 
we  here  chronicled,  D'Erlach,  carrying  his  morion  in  his 


STORY  OP  THE   HUGUENOTS. 


hand,  wandered  with  Pierre  Rotrou  down  the  beach  tow- 
ards the  sea,  to  cool  himself  and  watch  the  Spanish 
camp  upon  the  other  shore. 

There  were  still  a  few  camp  fires  blazing,  from 
around  which  came  occasional  bursts  of  laughter,  the 
oaths  of  gamblers  or  snatches  of  song.  The  gaiety  of  the 
one  camp,  and  the  sullen,  despairing  somberness  of  the 
other,  grated  harshly  on  his  spirit,  and  he  moodily  con- 
versed with  his  companion  as  they  slowly  paced  the 
sands,  smooth  and  firm  with  the  recent  wash  of  the  tide. 
A  gentle  surf  broke  on  the  shore  in  luminous  foam ; 
ielly  fish  sparkled  in  the  waters ;  night  birds  flitted  to 
and  fro  with  strange  shrill  cries ;  small  fish  sprang  like 
birds  out  of  the  water  as  with  a  rush,  sharks,  porpoises 
or  other  predatory  fish  dashed  in  amongst  them.  After 
a  little  while,  red  coals  only  were  left  of  the  campflres, 
and  stars  reflected  from  the  smooth  bosoms  of  the  coves, 
''Truly,  Nature  cares  but  little  or  naught  at  all  for 
any  man,  Rotrou,  good  or  bad,  and  it  doth  seem  to  me, 
God  scarcely  any  more.  Look  you!  Over  there  the 
murderers  of  our  comrades  sleep  like  babes  without 
a  feather  weight  upon  their  consciences,  or  a  shadow  of 
stain  upon  their  souls.  To-morrow,  they  will  thirst  to 
redden  their  arms  in  blood  to  their  elbows  and  if  Ribault 
changes  not  his  mind  they  surely  will  do  so."  D'Erlach 
paused  and  looked  toward  the  water.  A  faint  splashing 
sound  caught  his  ear. 

"Look,  Rotrou,  what  makes  that  wake  of  light  in  the 
water  off  yonder  little  point?'" 

"Quietly,  Chevalier!    It  is  not  made  by  any  fish,  nor 
is  it  yet  a  boat.    A  man  swims  toward  this  shore." 

It  was  only  a  few    paces  off,  and  with  no  noise  they 


FliOBIDA  HISTORIOAIi  TAIiES. 


traverse<t  the  distance.  As  they  approached  the  point 
the  splashing,  gentle  as  it  was,  ceased  entirely,  and  after 
a  moment  almost  in  a  wliisper,  in  Frencli,  was  lieard  a 
Toice  saying: 

^'I  am  a  friend,  Antoine  Uhlrich,  of  Lorraine,  and  seek 
the  Chevalier  D'Erlach." 

"Advance,  friend,  I  am  he  wliom  you  seek." — to  Ro- 
trou — ''This  is  the  man  who  warned  me  yesterday'" — 
'^  What  would  you?" 

"I,  oh  my  Captain!  I  come  to  warn  you  again.  Nay, 
more,  to  cast  my  lot  with  you  for  I  am  triste  with  hor- 
rors!   I  cannot  live  longer  in  hell!" 

This  he  said  standing  on  the  edge  of  the  beach  witli 
the  water  dripping  from  his  naked  body  and  the  bundle 
of  clothes  which  he  had  pushed  before  him  in  swimming. 

D'Erlach  immediately  saw  that  the  man's  arrival 
was  opportune  and  on  that  account  as  well  as  meeting 
one  who  sought  at  tlie  risk  of  liis  own  life  to  aid  him  to 
save  his,  gave  the  man  welcome  and  bade  him  put  on  his 
clothes  and  follow  to  his  tent.  Passing  the  sentinel  they 
reached  their  headquarters,  a  slieet  of  sail-cloth  spread 
over  poles,  and  there,  in  low  tones,  Antoine  Uhlrich  told 
Buch  a  tale  of  horror  as  they  liad  never  listened  to  before, 
describing  faitlifuUy  tlie  two  massacres,  concluding 
with,  "Mon  Dien,  the  cries  of  those  poor  women  and 
children  at  the  fort — their  pitiful  begging  and  pleading 
— still  rings  in  my  ears,  and  will  forever.  Poor  souls, 
better  they  too  had  died  with  those  for  whose  lives  they 
prayed  in  vain !  And  then  to  see  the  horrors  of  that 
slaughter-pen  over  there,  where  died  the  Sieur  de  la 
Grange  and  all  his  men,  save  a  few  who  are  now  Melen- 
dez'  slaves  and  know  not  any  day  what  torture  he  may 


STORY  OF   THE   HUGUENOTS.  87 


mete  to  them,  should  they  but  make  a  misstep  or  speak 
one  word  wrong. 

"And  see!  not  because  any  understood  my  speech 
but  you,  for  none  did,  a  cut  throat  Biscayan,  this  very 
evening,  nearly  broke  my  head  with  the  pommel  of  his 
dagger,  because  I  had  made  sport  of  their  wormy  bread 
and  told  me  that  I,  to-morrow,  should  be  killed  with  all 
my  French  friends,  for  so  had  he  heard  Melendez  swear 
by  the  mass.  Thou  knowest  I  cared  but  little  for  either 
Lut*her  or  the  Pope  in  the  old  days  in  France,  not  know- 
ing the  difference,  and  so  sought  only  to  save  my  life  by 
abjuring.  But  sure  am  I,  if  they  have  souls  I  have  none 
and  I  would  live  and  die  with  men  and  not  such  beasts!" 

There  was  in  the  man's  manner  not  only  evidence  of 
intense  excitement,  as  he  recited  his  story,  but  of  a  fe- 
verishness  arising  from  the  blow  upon  his  head  which,  to 
D'Erlach's  mind,  foretold  a  period  of  mental  disorder 
near  at  hand;  so  he  briefly  drew  from  him  information 
which  confirmed  his  belief  that  Melendez  did  not  intend 
to  show  any  mercy  to  those  who  might  surrender,  and 
also,  that  he  was  in  no  oondition,  as  to  present  force,  to 
assault  or  follow  them  should  the  French  refuse  to  yield 
up  their  arms. 

After  having  had  wet  bandages  placed  on  his  head, 
Uhlrich,  in  a  corner  of  the  tent  was  told  to  rest  in  peace, 
for  that  under  no  consideration  should  he  be  given  up  to 
the  Spaniards,  and  should  share  with  them  their  future 
fortunes  and  misfortunes. 

Rotrou  and  D'Erlach,  it  is  needless  to  say,  were 
much  saddened  snd  dispirited  by  the  recalling  of  the 
miserable  fates  of  their  late  comrades  and  the  almost 
hopeless  condition  in  which  they  themselves  were  placed ; 


FLORIDA  HISTORIOAIi  TALES. 


tout  they  were  brave  men  and  resolutely  looking  the  cir- 
cumstances in  the  face,  the  plan  of  falling  back  to  Can- 
averal, as  outlined  before,  was  more  strongly  endorsed 
than  ever  as  the  best  course  to  follow. 

Rising,  D'Erlach  said  to  the  Breton:  "In  the  morn- 
ing, a  few  hours  hence,  Captain,  see  La  Caille,  D'Alem- 
bert  and  the  others  and  tell  them  all  you  have  heard 
from  this  poor  fellow,  whose  words  I  believe  are  trutli. 
Bid  them  change  not  tlieir  resolution,  nor  let  Ribault 
and  those  who  go  with  him,  surrender  aught  except  what 
is  upon  their  persons.  Whenever  the  surrender  of  any 
portion  of  the  force  is  decided  upon,  let  such  exchanges 
of  arquebuses  and  other  weapons  be  made  as  will  leave 
us  the  better  ones.  Bullet  pouches  and  powder  flasks 
also  should  be  emptied,  so  that  ours  may  be  well  sup- 
plied, for  I  foresee  we  shall  need  all  our  munitions  in  the 
future.  Find  out  also  how  many  are  determined  to  go, 
forgetting  not  to  especially  persuade  the  best  of  the  sol- 
diers if  possible  to  stay  with  us.  My  company  and  yours 
I  doubt  not  will  not  leave  us. 

''Would  to  God,  we  had  the  means  to  cross  this  strait 
and  that  our  men  could  be  braced  up  to  make  one  brave 
struggle  for  victory  and  vengeance!  We  could  reverse 
upon  these  Spaniards  the  calamities  and  cruelties  they 
have  inflicted  upon  us.  We  are  more  tiian  two  to  one  in 
numbers  and  enfeebled  although  many  are  and  worn  out, 
were  we  once  on  the  other  shore,  arms  in  hand,  Melen- 
dez  would  be  lucky  iudeed  to  escape  the  fate  of  our  com- 
rades.   But  go  you  to  rest  and  I  will  make  the  rounds." 

As  anticipated,  by  morning,  Uhlrich  was  delirious 
with  fever  and  not  capable  of  rational  conversation.  He 
was  not  violent,  but  occasionally  he  would  half  spring  to 


STORY  OF  THE   HUaUENOTS. 


his  feet,  and  with  a  countenance  full  of  horror,  speak 
brokenly  of  some  incident  of  the  massacre  at  the  fort — 
*'Ha!"  he  exclaimed  in  one  of  these  fits,  "Well  struck, 
•Captain  De  La  Vigne  I  You  made  one  of  those  Asturian 
•doffs  bite  the  dust!  But  there!  You  are  down!  Your 
«word  broke  on  that  cursed  pike  handle — the  brutal 
wretciies — to  slay  a  fallen  man !  And  there  goes  Lau- 
•donniere  with  Bartholomew  to  the  breach — I  cannot  get 
there" — then  he  would  sink  back  to  lie  faint  and  still. 

Seeing  his  condition,  D'Erlach  gave  up  his  hope  of 
getting  Eibault  to  interview  him  so  that  as  a  result,  it 
might  cliange  tlie  plan  of  surrender,  and,  cooling  the 
wounded  man's  head  with  fresh  wet  bandages,  he  ate  his 
frugal  breakfast  with  Rotrou  and  hastened  to  tlie  com- 
mander's tent,  to  repeat  to  him  Uhlrich's  story  and  urge 
him  not  to  surrender. 

To  this  Ribault  answered:  "Monsieur  D'Erlach,  I 
do  not  doubt  that  you  are  prompted  by  sincere  friend- 
sliip,  but  I  cannot  believe  every  crazy  tale  that  is  told. 
This  man,  you  tell  me,  is  even  now  lying  in  your  tent  out 
of  his  mind.  What  he  says,  therefore,  cannot  be  relied 
on.  However,  I  will  have  the  bugler  call  a  parley  and 
see  if  better  terms  may  not  be  obtained  from  Melendez." 

So  saying,  he  called  for  Ernest  D'Erlach,  the  brother 
of  the  Chevalier,  a  handsome  gallant  youth,  not  yet  so- 
bered out  of  boyishness,  but  a  great  favorite  with  the 
General,  who  came  quickly  into  the  tent  saluting  both 
courteously. 

"My  son,  take  with  you  ons  of  the  buglers,  go  down 
to  the  shore  and  have  him  blow  a  call  for  a  parley  as 
agreed  upon.  Wait  there  until  you  get  an  answer  and 
bring  it  to  me." 


90  FIX)RIDA   HISTORICAL  TALES. 

The  youth,  with  a  smile  and  a  word  for  his  brother » 
hastened  away  and  Ribault  continued : 

''You  liave  younger  years,  Chevalier,  and  therefore 
stronger  hope.  There  was  a  time  when  I  could  share  the 
latter  but  it  has  passed  with  the  wreck  of  our  squadron  and 
the  destruction  of  La  Caroline.  There  are  left  but  few 
with  us  who  are  capable  of  making  a  brave  defence  of 
even  their  lives.  I  see  no  other  way  save  to  win  some 
concessions  from  Melendez  for  them  and  end  a  useless 
struggle  by  surrender,  if  he  grants  any." 

''Then,  General,  I  have  two  favors  to  ask  of  you;  one 
is  that  you  will  not  take  my  brother  with  you,  but  send 
him  to  me  at  the  last,  and  the  other,  that  the  surrender 
be  deferred  at  least  until  to-morrow,  with  liberty  of  ac- 
tion for  those  who  are  not  willing  te  trust  the  Spaniards, 
to  take  steps  to  save  themselves  as  they  may  deem  best." 

"Both  are  granted  freely.  And  more.  Monsieur 
D'Erlach,  while  it  scarcely  seems  possible  for  you  to 
ever  make  your  escape  to  France,  it  may  be  so,  God 
grant  it!  and  if  you  should,  will  you  do  me  a  favor?" 

"Surely!"  was  the  emphatic  response. 

"There  is  in  Rochelle— ah  me !  the  fairest  city  of  fair 
France — with  Master  Keppel  the  minister,  my  daughter, 
Jeanne  Ribault.  Take  her  this  seal  ring  and  this  script 
tliat  I  have  written  to  tell  her  where  she  may  find  the 
remnant  of  her  father's  fortune,  if  it  should  be  the  will  of 
God  that  I  meet  her  not  again.  I  charge  you  to  forget 
not,  that  she  is  the  daughter  of  your  old  commander  and 
comrade  in  arms,  who  places  trust  in  your  honor  as  a 
gen|^eman.  Say  to  her,  that  her  father,  in  his  hardest 
straits,  and  if  it  be  to  end  speedily  as  it  may,  thought  of 
her  last  next  to  his  God  and  in  dying  prayed  that  she 


STORY  OP  THE  HUGUENOTS.  91 

might  be  blessed  with  peace  and  happiness." 

As  he  finished,  the  notes  of  the  bugle  rose  clear  and 
sweet  above  the  monotone  of  the  surf,  echoing  far  over 
the  inner  river — repeated  three  times,  Then  came  the 
answer  from  the  Spanish  side.  In  the  melodious  notes 
there  were  no  undertones  to  indicate  cold  despair  or 
black-hearted  treachery,  but  they  called  to  both  spirits 
of  hell  and  heaven. 


FIX)BIDA  HISTORICAL  TALES. 


CHAPTER  XIII. 

THE     SECOND     SLAUGHTER     AT     MATANZAS — DEATH     OF 
RIBAULT. 

In  response  to  the  call  for  a  parley,  Melendez  sent 
the  boat  over  with  Martin  D'Oehoa  under  a  flag  of  truce, 
as  previously  agreed  upon.  He  was  conducted  to  Ri- 
bault's  tent  and  there  informed  that  if  Melendez  desired 
the  surrender  of  the  Huguenots  he  must  modify  his  de- 
mands. ''Tell  him,  Senor  D'Oehoa,  that  I  ask  but  little 
for  myself.  Your  commander  is  a  soldier  and  I  will  net 
doubt  his  disposition  to  do  whatsoever  he  can  in  my  own 
behalf;  nor  for  my  men  can  I  expect  to  gain  other  favor, 
t  lan  that  which  is  usually  accorded  m  war  between  civ- 
ilized nations,  to  prisoners  surrendering  without  resist- 
ance. 

''I  will  not  hide  the  truth  from  you.  There  are  many^ 
and  perhaps  the  larger  number,  who  will  not  give  up 
their  arms  without  some  pledge  of  security  for  their  lives 
and  the  final  hope  of  return  to  their  native  country, 
which  the  majority  most  earnestly  wish.  All  desire  no 
more  than  to  leave  you  in  peace.  The  question  of  sover- 
eignty shall  be  left  to  our  respective  royal  masters  to  bo 
settled  between  them  as  they  will.  Here  is  a  copy  of  Ad- 
miral Coligny's  instructions.  Call  your 'General's  atten- 
tion to  the  fact  that,  in  accordance  with  its  directions,  I 
have  authority  to  make  an  agreement  for  complete  with- 
drawal from  this  land  and  leave  you  in  perlect  posses- 
sion if  it  is  deemed  best  by  me." 


STOBY  OF  THE  HUGUENOTS. 


D'Ochoa  returned  to  Melendez  with  Ribault's  mes- 
sage. Two  hours  later  came  the  ultimatum  of  the  Ade- 
lantado. 

"In  the  name  of  Philip,  by  the  grace  of  God,  King  of 
Spain  and  all  the  Indias,  I,  Pedro  Melendez  de  Avila» 
Adelantado  of  Florida,  demand  the  surrender  of  all  the 
French  now  under  the  command  of  Jean  Ilibault,  prom- 
ising such  grace  and  clemency  as  are  accorded  usually 
to  prisoners.  To  those  who  will  not  surrender,  war  to 
the  knife!"* 

The  herald  further  told  Ribault  that  the  truce  then 
existing  would  not  last  longer  than  until  next  day  noon, 
when  the  whole  matter  must  be  concluded,  adding  that 
the  sooner  all  could  be  settled  the  better  would  be  the 
terms  accorded.  A  safe  conduct  to  and  from  the  Span- 
ish camp  was  extended  to  Ribault  and  such  officers  as  he 


*  The  following  is  an  exact  copy  of  the  signature  of 
Melendez  as  appended  to  his  ultanalum  to  the  Hngue- 
nots.  It  was  obtained  by  a  lady,  Miss  A.  M.  Brooks, 
wiiile  in  Seville,  Spain,  looking  over  documents  relating 
to  the  e^vrly  Spanish  settlements,  and  electro  typed  for 
this  book.  While  the  Spanish,  and  therefore  the  correct 
form  of  tlie  name,  is  Meuendez,  the  P'rench  form  is  fol- 
lowed in  this  story  as  found  in  the  history  of  the  events,, 
given  by  those  ol  the  Huguenots  who  escaped: 


94  FLORIDA  HISTORICAL  TALES. 

might  choose,  to  dine  with  the  Adelantado.  Hoping 
that  an  opportunity  might  be  presented  to  move  Melen- 
dez  to  greater  leniency,  Ribault  selected  Ottigny,  Ro- 
trou  and  his  trumpeter,  Perrault  Le  Bearnois,  to  accom- 
pany him,  leaving  the  camp  iu  charge  of  D'Erlach. 

Melendez  received  the  party  courteously  and  made 
so  great  a  show  of  hospitality,  that  Ribault  was  thor- 
oughly imbued  with  the  idea  that  he  meant  better  than 
his  words.  Neither  did  the  wily  Spaniard  fail  to  so  display 
his  little  force,  show  the  excellence  of  their  equipment 
and  their  martial  discipline,  as  to  enforce  the  idea  of  his 
power.  Indeed,  tlie  contrast  with  the  mutinous  disposi- 
tion of  his  own  men,  their  disheartened  and  demoralized 
condition,  made  Ribault  feel  more  than  ever  the  futility 
of  resistance. 

Every  proposition  of  further  guarantee,  however,  was 
evaded  by  Melendez,  who  fixed  in  Ribault's  mind  the  be- 
lief that  reasonable  conditions  would  be  given  to  the 
Frencli  upon  surrender,  and  so  it  was  finally  decided 
that  at  an  early  hour  the  next  morning,  Melendez'  her- 
ald, who  could  speak  French,  should  be  sent  to  proclaim 
tlie  terms  of  surrender,  on  the  acceptance  of  which  the 
transfer  of  the  French  across  the  straiglit  should  begin. 

Returning  to  his  own  side,  Ribault  made  known 
throughout  the  camp  the  Adelantado's  proposition,  bid- 
ding each,  however,  to  decide  for  himself  whetlier  to  ac- 
cept or  reject. 

Tlie  Rreton  captain  was  not  satisfied  that  Melendez 
had  not  plotted  to  deceive  them,  and  that  evening  D'Er- 
lach  and  Ins  friends  held  a  consultation  in  his  tent.  Uhl- 
rich  by  this  time  was  rid  of  fever,  so  that  he  was  in  his 
right  unnd,  and  begged  them  not  to  trust  the  merciless 


STORY  OF  THE   HUGUEXOTS.  95 

butcher.  ^'Belteve  him  not,  Captain,  and  you  all!  He 
has  neither  mercy  nor  compassion.  His  army  is  but  a 
band  of  assassins  like  himself.  Should  you  decide  to 
trust  liis  promises  and  surrender  to-inorrow,  I  will  crawl 
this  very  night  into  the  heart  of  these  tjiickets  and  die  of 
hunger  and  serpent  bites  in  preference.  Have  I  not  seen 
and  heard?  Was  ever  a  hatred  deeper  than  the  bottom-^ 
less  pit,  'tis  his  for  Frenchman.  Give  me  a  flask  of  water, 
a  pouch  of  biscuit,  such  arms  as  I  can  carry,  and  ere 
sunrise  let  me  go,  I  care  not  where  nor  to  what  fate;  'tis 
better  than  that  slaughter-pen  over  there." 

"Nay,  friend  Uhlrich,  we  trust  Melendez  no  more 
than  you.  We  believe  he  does  not  intend  aught  but  evil 
to  any  of  us.  But  it  is  true  the  General  and  many  of  the 
company  are  deceived  by  him,  and  have  resolved  to  sur- 
render. As  for  us,  we  will  not;  for  he  will  give  no 
straight  forward  promise  of  safety  to  our  lives,  and  we 
believe  It  will  be  better  to  fall  back  to  the  wrecks  and 
then  plan  some  method  of  escape,  or  die  sword  in  hand. 
You  are  too  weak  to  march  on  foot  now,  but  to-morrow 
shall  be  carried  on  a  litter.  Perhaps  next  day  you  may 
be  able  to  march  with  the  rest,"  replied  D'Erlach,  and 
then  with  Rotrou  that  evening  made  the  round  of  the 
camp,  to  strengthen  tlie  resolutions  of  many  for  the  re- 
treat, and  make  his  dispositions. 

Early  in  the  morning  before  daylight,  those  carrying 
the  litters  loaded  with  baggage  and  several  disabled 
soldiers,  who  begged  not  to  be  turned  over  to  the  cruel 
Spaniards,  under  LaCaille  and  ten  arquebusiers,  were  to 
proceed  down  the  beach,  followed  by  the  main  body 
under  Rotrou,  while  D'Erlach  remained  with  a  rear 
guard  of  picked  men  until  Ribault,  and  those  going  with 


96  FIX)BIDA  HISTORICAL.  TALES. 

him  to  surrender,  should  depart.  Indeed,  D'Erlach 
hoped  to  the  last  that  he  might  persuade  the  commander 
to  change  his  mind,  in  which,  however,  lie  was  disap- 
pointed. More  than  that,  in  the  morning  he  found  nearly 
one  hundred  and  fifty  of  the  men,  including  his  gallant 
friend.  Captain  Ottigny,  had  resolved  to  go  with  Ei- 
bault,  whom  surely  the  evil  fates  had  in  their  keeping. 

Sunrise  came  with  an  October  blaze  of  glory  falling 
on  the  little  company  gathered  on  the  beach,  at  the  edge 
of  the  inlet,  for  their  final  parting.  Need  it  be  said  that 
it  was  sad?  They  had  often  been  in  peril  together ;  had 
faced  storm  and  battle  side  by  side.  It  wa?  hard  to  part  so. 
Ribault  was  astonished,  even  grieved  that  so  many  would 
follow  his  leadership  no  longer  ;  were  so  doubtful  of  his 
true  judgment  in  trusting  to  the  Adelantado's  clemency, 
of  which  he  felt  assured.  But  the  trumpets  blew  the 
agreed  signal.  The  large  bateau  of  the  Spaniards  was 
launched— it  was  dancing  under  the  guidance  of  skilled 
oarsmen  over  the  inlet's  billows.  They  grasped  hands 
and  bid  each  other  adieu. 

Then  Ribault,  with  the  standards  of  France  and  Co- 
ligny  and  a  portion  of  his  guard,  entered  the  boat.  Er- 
nest D'Erlach  bade  him  the  last  farewell  and  joined  his 
brother.  And  so  Ribault  was  ferried  across  the  Matanzas 
strait,  not  seeing  the  grim  ferryman.  Death,  at  the  tiller. 

He  was  conducted  to  the  Adelantado's  tent,  which 
stood  near  the  e(.\{i;e  of  the  sand  point,  where  it  was 
fringed  by  the  dense  thickets  of  saw  palmetto  and  stunted 
trees,  over  which  towered  sombre  live  oaks,  from  whose 
gnarled  arms  hung  ragged  drapery  of  funereal  moss,  and 
still  taller  palms  crowned  with  great  shining  leaves. 

Here  he  laid  at  the  feet  of  Melendez  his  armor,  his 


STORY  OF  THE  HUGUENOTS.  97 

casque  of  steel,  beautifully  wrought  with  gold  and  silver 
by  Florentine  artists,  given  to  him  by  the  citizens  of  Ro- 
chelle ;  his  sword,  pistolet  and  buckler ;  the  Commission 
given  to  him  by  Coligny  as  Governor  of  New  France ;  and 
lastly  the  royal  standards. 

Then  his  companions  laid  down  their  weapons  in  like 
manner.  Thej''  stood  disarmed,  defenseless  in  the  midst 
of  their  enemies,  absolutely  at  their  mercy. 

Then  said  Melendez : 

'^Monsieur,  you  are  no  longer  a  General;  you  have  no 
longer  the  shadow  even  of  authority  in  this  land.  My 
orders  from  my  royal  master  are  to  spare  none  of  the 
leaders  of  French  intruders  upon  his  domain — to  allow 
no  heretics  to  exist  here,  save  such  as  recant.  There  is 
no  option  left  but  to  execute  those  orders.  If  there  be 
any  among  you  who  are  of  the  true  faith,  let  them  step 
forth!" 

None  stirred.  The  order  was  repeated.  Not  one 
moved.  All  felt  then  that  certain  death  confronted 
them.  Ribault  knew  the  doom  passed  upon  him  and  his 
followers ;  but  the  old  warrior  felt  no  fear,  only  the  shame 
of  it  all. 

''Is  it  thus,  Senor,  that  you  treat  men  and  soldiers 
who  have  trusted  to  your  clemency  and  honor?" 

With  a  scowl  and  a  wave  of  his  staff,  Melendez  said : 

''Bind  this  man  and  his  companions!  Take  them 
thence!" 

Not  another  word  of  expostulation — none  of  useless 
pleading — did  the  veteran  address  to  his  murderer, 
but,  without  faltering,  and  with  face  turned  heaven- 
ward, as  Melendez  finished  his  orders  to  the  execution- 
ers binding  the  men  for  slaughter,  he  uttered,  "From  the 


98  FIX)RIDA  HISTORIOAL  TALES. 


earth  we  came ;  to  the  earth  we  must  return !    Soon  or 
late,  it  is  the  same  final  end  that  comes  to  all." 

Then  as  he  was  marched  to  that  same  spot  where 
perished  the  Sieur  de  la  Grange,  he  chanted  clearly  and 
solemnly,  a  psalm  in  Latin,  commencing,  "Domine,  Me- 
mento Mei;"  well  conceiving  in  that  fearful  moment 
there  was  left  but  one  source  of  consolation. 

It  was  a  scene,  the  terrible  tragedy  of  which  can 
scarcely  in  human  history  be  paralleled ;  yet  it  was  set  in 
a  frame  work  of  matchless  beauty.  There  was  the  great 
ocean  heaving  in  blue  and  silver,  its  boundless  bosom. 
The  surf  broke  on  the  shore  then  as  it  does  now,  after  the 
centuries  have  passed,  chanting  the  same  mysterious 
anthem  of  power  and  praise  and  solemnity,  the  Creator 
set  the  notes  for  at  the  first.  There  were  soft  skies  with 
fleecy  clouds,  light  as  angel  wings;  the  broad  rivet  inside 
the  gi'een  rolling  sand  dunes  of  the  island  and  peninsula 
barriers.  Over  all,  through  all,  and  doubtless  heard  in 
heaven,  swept  that  one  human  voice,  singing  a  psalm  of 
death,  a  funeral  march,  until  the  shadows  of  the  forest 
closed  upon  the  party. 

There  were  eight  men  with  bound  hands,  and  to  each 
one  a  dagger-armed  assassin.  They  were  marched  out  of 
sight  and  sound  of  the  camp  and  of  their  companions,  be- 
ing brought  across  the  inlet  in  squads  of  ten  to  be  dealt 
with  in  like  manner,  each  party  not  knowing  the  fate  of 
the  preceding. 

As  they  approached  the  appointed  place  the  soldier 
having  Ribault  in  charge,  said  to  him. 

"Senor,  you  are  the  general  of  the  French." 

*'I  was,"  accenting  the  last  word,  was  the  answer. 

*'You  have  been  accustomed   to  exact  obedience  to 


STORY  OF  THE  ^U^b^NOTS.  ,     ,  ,  ^ 

— ■ 5r — - — »^ — ^ i,x-v>  ,  >.,  ^  'i — _»-^_^._.^j_, 

your  orders?"  '.,',••'•:,.  -  ''  '^  >''  '^  '.' '  '•  *  '  '• 

"Without  doubt!" 

"Deem  it  not  strange  that  I  obey  mine,  then!" 
Thus  speaking,  he  drove  his  poignard  into  the  heart 
of  his  victim,  who  fell  upon  his  face  without  a  groan  and 
died.  So  died  the  others  also  without  further  prelim- 
inaries, and  as  with  tliem,  a  similar  scene  was  enacted, 
the  same  questioning,  the  same  sentence  and  doom  with 
each  boat  load  ferried  over  to  execution,  till  more  than  a 
hundred  perished.* 

*  Here  ends  the  history  properly  of  La  Caroline  and 
Ribault,  although  still  later  on  La  Caroline,  or  rather  Fort 
San  Mateo,  as  the  Spaniards  had  named  it,  again  became 
the  scene  of  a  most  remarkable  event — the  sudden  and 
terrible  vengeance  of  the  Chevalier  de  Gourgues. 

Part  II,  which  follows,  describes  the  romantic  ad- 
ventures of  D'Erlach  and  his  men  along  the  coast  south 
of  St.  Augustine ;  their  mishaphs  and  final  triumps ;  relat- 
ing also  much  interesting  matter  connected  with  the  In- 
dians of  this  region,  including  history  and  romance 
hitherto  unpublished. 


PART  II. 

THE    ROMANCE    OF    IT. 


STORY  OP  THE  HUGUENOTS.  103 


CHAPTER  XIV. 

THE     DARING    EXPLOIT    OF    CHEVALIER    D'OTTIGNY,   LB 
BEARNOIS  AND  THEIR  COMPANIONS. 

Just  prior  to  departing,  Ribault  had  directed  Ottigny 
to  remain  until  the  last  boat  load  was  ready  to  be  carried 
across  the  strait. 

"It  may  be,  Captain,  that  Melendez  will  prove 
treacherous.  Should  you  see  aught  to  make  you  believe 
so,  take  what  course  you  may  deem  best.  God  knows 
what  the  outcome  will  be." 

So,  through  the  weary  lagging  hours,  until  the  mid- 
dle of  the  afternoon,  Ottigny  waited,  filled  with'many 
perplexities  and  anxietses,  for  his  turn  to  come.  He  liad 
kept  with  him,  Francis  Perrault,  familiarly  called  Le 
Bearnois  from  the  province  of  which  he  was  a  native,  the 
chief  trumpeter,  the  other  having  gone  with  D'Erlach, 
besides  eight  of  his  best  men. 

Ottigny  bad  watched  closely,  as  well  as  he  could  at 
the  distance  between  the  two  shores  of  the  strait,  what 
occurred  on  the  other  side. 

He  had  seen  the  first  detachment,  headed  by  Ri- 
bault, land  on  the  opposite  shore  and  march,  escorted  by 
the  guard  sent  to  meet  him,  to  Melendez'  tent.  As  the 
•two  banners  carried  by  them  were  lowered,  the  Chevalier 
covered  his  face  with  his  hands  to  hide  the  tears  in  his 
eyes,  for  with  that  act  fell  all  the  high  hopes  with  which 
he  had  first  entered  upon  this  enterprise,  that  at  the  be- 
ginning, was  to  give  to  France  a  new  world  and  to  him- 


104  FLORIDA  HISTORICAL  TALES. 

^^ . _ 

self  honor  and  distinction. 

''Perrault,  your  eyes  are  as  keen  as  the  eagle's,  tell 
me  what  you  see,"  said  he  to  the  trumpeter. 

''It  is  but  little,  mon  capitaine,"  answered  he.  "They 
have  laid  down  their  arms,  and  now  the  eight  are  being 
marched  toward  the  forest  around  the  cove,  with  a 
guard,  amongst  whom  I  see  no  pikes  or  halberds.  They 
are  gone  from  sight." 

The  next  boat  load  carried  ten,  and  so  on,  until  the 
hour  came  as  mentioned. 

During  the  procedure  it  was  noted  that  a  number  of 
the  prisoners  were  dropped  from  the  little  detachments 
and  went  not  towards  the  forest,  but  were  left  in  charge 
of  two  black  robed  friars,  and  allowed  at  noon  to  parade 
on  the  beach  in  full  sight  of  their  late  companions  on  the 
other  side.  These  were  those  who  were  Catholics  or  had 
recanted,  and  Melendez,  with  consummate  art,  instigated 
this  display  of  freedom  and  hospitality,  for  he  made 
them  take  their  noonday  meal  as  conspicuously,  rightly 
conjecturing  it  would  influence  the  others  favorably, 
making  them  more  disposed  to  surrender.  And  so  it  did. 
The  poor  deluded  wretches  even  crowded  to  enter  the 
boat,  esteeming  it  a  favor  to  be  selected. 

Even  the  veterans  Ottigny  had  chosen  to  remain  with 
him,  growled  at  being  compelled  to  wait  until  the  last. 

They  were  now  the  only  ones  remaining.  Le  Bear- 
nois  raised  his  ])ugle  to  his  mouth  and  not  loudly  but 
sweetly  played  a  few  strains  of  a  march.  The  tide  had 
recently  turned  seaward.  The  bateau  was  coming  across 
the  inlet. 

"My  comrades,  one  more  word  ere  we  go,"  said  their 
captain.    "Perhaps  at  the  last  D'Erlach's  warning  may 


STORY  OF  THE  HUGUENOTS.  105 

prove  true.  Should  it  be  so,  do  you  follow  every  word  I 
give  you  and  stand  by  every  act.  Be  alert  and  brave  for 
your  lives  and  the  honor  of  France."  Tliey  answered  af- 
firmatively, and  as  the  boat  came  to  shore,  stepped  in. 

As  they  landed,  no  guard  met  them.  It  was  the  last 
boat  load  and  the  boatmen  themselves,  escorted  them  to 
headquarters. 

''You  are  the  Chevalier  Louis  D'Ottlgny  and  these 
men  with  you  are  the  last  of  the  French  who  surrender?" 
questioned  Melendez. 

"It  is  true,  Senor?" 

"You  will  deposit  your  arms  here  with  the  re^t." 

Ottigny  and  his  men  then  proceeded  to  divest  them- 
selves of  their  arms,  during  which  process  the  former 
noticed  the  group  of  fifteen  or  twenty  Frenchmen  in 
charge  of  the  two  friars,  wliose  looks  were  downcast  and 
shamefaced.  He  saw  also,  coming  from  the  forest  open- 
ing, a  number  of  Spaniards.  At  this  juncture  the  voice 
of  Le  Bearnois  was  heard  addressing  Melendez. 

"Senor  commandant,  I  crave  your  pardon,  but  my 
bugle  is  not  a  weapon  of  war.  It  has  been  my  companion 
for  many  years.    Will  you  not  permit  me  to  keep  it." 

"Thou  shall  keep  it  to  the  last,  since  tliou  dost  prize 
it  so  highly,"  replied  Melendez  with  a  mocking  smile. 

He  then  proceeded  to  put  the  questions,  concerning 
religious  faitli  and  recantation,  as  had  been  done  to  all 
the  others. 

"I  care  not  which  you  choose.  Here  on  the  one  side  is 
freedom  and  life,  with  these  your  former  comrades,  who 
have  accepted  the  terms,  or  on  the  other  hand  the  death 
decreed  to  heretics  and  enemies.  There  is  no  other 
choice. 


106  FLORIDA  HISTORIOAIi  TALES. 


Meantime,  Ottigny,  with  keen  eye,  was  watchful, 
though  not  yet  fully  alive  to  the  deadly  peril  confronting 
them. 

At  this  moment  appeared  from  behind  the  tent,  ten 
stalwart  ruffians  with  daggers  sheathed  in  their  girdles, 
bearing  cords  in  their  hands  and  with  many  bloodstains 
upon  their  leathern  jerkins.  They  were  the  ''Matadors" 
as  they  had  been  nicknamed  throughout  the  camp,  the 
slaughter  gang. 

"Choose  ye,  and  that  quickly!"  exclaimed  Melendez 
sternly  and  impatiently  raising  his  staff  to  make  the  fatal 
signal. 

Clear  as  sunliglit  burst  on  the  mind  of  Ottigny  the 
whole  truth.  Dead  in  yonder  glade  were  Ribault,  gener- 
ous and  noble  with  all  his  faults,  and  all  of  his  brave 
comrades,  faithful  unto  the  end,  fearful  as  it  was,  to  him 
and  to  their  faith.    The  same  fate  was  to  be  theirs. 

The  rage  of  battle  swept  over  his  soul;  electrified  his 
nerves;  turned  his  sinews  into  steel. 

Witli  the  lightning  bound  of  a  leopard,  he  sprang  to 
the  pile  of  surrendered  arms,  seized  a  halberd  and  aimed 
one  swinging  tremenduous  blow  at  Melendez,  shouting. 

''Take  that,  tliou  treacherous  murderer,  and  to  hell 
with  tliee!" 

The  blade  of  the  halberd  struck  on  the  side  of  Me- 
lendez' steel  helmet,  glanced  and  the  shaft  of  tlie  weapon 
falling  across  his  armored  shoulder,  broke  off.  The  blow 
felled  him,  however,  stunned  and  motionless  to  the 
ground. 

With  the  heroic  madness  of  the  Norse  Berserker 
upon  him,  Ottigny  plied  the  stout  ash  shaft  which  re- 
mained in  his  hands  with  terrible  effect,  for  two  of  tjie 


STORY  OF  THE   HUGUENOTS.  107 


"matadors"  fell  with  crushed  skulls.  His  followers  had 
grasped  other  weapons  from  the  pile,  and  noting  the  ral- 
lying of  the  Spaniards  to  the  tent,  he  shouted:  "To  the 
boat,  men !  Quick !  For  your  lives !  For  God  and  France !" 

Fortunately,  so  unexpectedly  and  so  instantaneously 
did  it  all  happen,  Ottigny's  party,  except  two  who 
were  slain  by  the  Adelantado's  immediate  guard,  reached 
the  boat  in  safety.  The  one  man  left  to  guard  it  was 
stricken  down.  Ottigny  cut  the  painter  witli  his  dagger, 
which  he  had  previously  hidden  in  his  doublet,  and  with 
a  rush  the  boat  was  pushed  off,  they  springing  into  it. 

In  a  moment  it  was  caught  by  the  swift,  strong  cur- 
rent, and  swept  out  into  the  channel,  and  towards  the 
sea. 

Confusion  reigned  in  the  Spanish  camp.  Wild  com- 
mands and  shouts  of  rage  rang  over  the  sands,  but  it  was 
too  late.    Their  last  proposed  victims  had  escaped. 

For  a  few  moments  they  rested  to  catch  their  breath. 
Then  Le  Bearnois  unslung  his  bugle  from  its  baldric, 
and,  standing  up  in  the  bow  of  the  boat,  blew  so  shrill, 
so  loud.and  bold  a  defiance,  that  it  rang  high  above  the 
roar  of  the  surf,  the  shouts  and  cries  of  the  Spaniards 
and  went  echoing  even  to  the  other  shore  of  tlie  Matanzas 
river. 

Meantine,  D'Ochoa,  satisfied  that  Melendez  was 
stunned,  not  killed,  called  the  friars  to  attend  him,  and 
rallying  a  company  of  arquebusiers,  hurried  them  to  a 
point  near  the  mouth  of  the  inlet  to  fire  on  the  escaping 
Huguenots.  But  few  had  their  matches  lighted,  how- 
ever, when  the  boat  came  in  range,  Le  Bearnois  blowing 
lustily.  They  opened  fire,  and  one  of  the  bullets  striking 
the  buckle  of  his  belt  tumbled  him  into  the  bottom  of 


108  FLORIDA  HISTORICAL  TALBS. 

the  boat,  breathless,  but  otherwise  unhurt. 

"Tonnerre!"  ejaculated  the  trumpeter,  when  he  could 
raise  himself,  "a  bullet  takes  one's  breath  worse  than  a 
bugle !    But  see !    My  bugle  is  unhurt !" 

The  arquebusiers  raised  a  shout,  thinking  they  had 
killed  Le  Bearnois,  and  fired  another  volley.  The  bullets 
rained  like  hail  around  the  boat,  but  the  latter  was  roll- 
ing to  the  bar  breakers  and  furnished  no  steady  mark. 

''Pull  hard,  men!  A  few  more  strokes  and  we  are 
out  of  their  range!"  exclaimed  D'Ottigny  at  the  tiller, 
his  eyes  fixed  upon  a  huge  breaker  coming  in  from  the 
Bea.  Keeping  the  boat  bow  on,  he  added :  "Quick!  Fifty 
feet  farther,  and  we  are  safe !" 

The  bullets  dropped  behind  the  boat,  but  a  great 
swell  of  blue  water  was  rearing  itself  in  front  of  them. 

To  capsize  here  meant  death  by  drowning,  or  from 
the  sharks,  or  at  the  last  to  be  cast  ashore  amongst  infu- 
riated enemies.  But  steady  was  the  hand  on  the  tiller; 
strong  the  arms  plying  the  oars,  and  in  another  breath- 
less moment  the  boat  rode  over  the  mountain  of  water 
which  broke  in  thunder  behind  them,  and  for  J;he  time 
being  they  were  safe  and  free. 


STORY  OF  THE  HUGUENOTS.  109 


CHAPTER  XV. 

THE     RETREAT — OAMP      BELOW      MATANZAS      AND     THE 
REQUIEM     AT     SEA. 

Meantime,  as  D'Erlach  had  planned,  the  advance 
guard,  followed  by  the  main  body  of  the  Huguenots  who 
had  refused  to  surrender  to  the  Spaniards,  had  departed 
from  Matanzas  before  sunrise,  to  take  advantage  of  the 
lowest  stage  of  the  tide  along  the  beach  southward. 

D'Erlach  remained  to  bid  a  last  farewell  to  Ribault, 
when  the  latter  should  complete  his  arrangements  to  be- 
gin the  surrender.  Even  to  the  last,  he  labored  to  per- 
suade his  comrades  to  join  in  the  retreat.  But  it  was 
useless.  He  was  glad,  however,  that  the  main  body  had 
marched  so  early,  for  had  they  remained  they  doubtless 
would  have  joined  the  others,  for  even  as  it  was,  reason- 
ably assured  in  his  owm  mind  of  Melendez'  intended 
treachery,  he  at  moments  felt  himself  tempted  to  throw 
aside  his  doubts,  but  duty  and  honor  called  him  to  the 
faithful  discharge  of  his  obligations  as  the  guide  and 
commander  of  the  little  army,  wending  its  way  toward 
Canaveral. 

Along  the  inner  shores  of  the  weary  coast  line  were 
many  populous  Indian  villages.  He  could  not  tell  at 
what  moment  some  straggler  might  arouse  animosity 
and  hostility. 

At  last  he  turned  southward  with  his  dozen  halberd- 
ers  and  arquebusiers,  only  halting  at  the  last  point  from 
which  he  could  scan  the  Spanish  camp  to  see,  as  Ottigny 


110  FLORIDA  HISTOBIOAIi  TALES. 


(lid,  the  lowering  of  Ribault's  banners,  the  Fleur  de  Lis 
of  France  and  the  flag  of  Coligny.  And,  even  as  his 
friend  had  done,  he  also  covered  his  eyes,  then  hoarsely 
bidding  his  men  to  move  on,  looked  no  more,  but  with 
set  lips,  went  after  them. 

It  was  a  silent,  sorrowful  march.  The  sun  blazed 
down  upon  them;  shone  in  silver  on  white  sand  banks 
on  one  side ;  glittered  in  dazzling  glory  on  the  ocean— 
that  great,  boundless,  heaving,  never-resting  expanse  of 
water,  beyond  which  lay  their  native  land,  farther  from 
them  than  the  infinite  and  the  eternal. 

Even  in  his  bravr  heart,  there  was  little  less  than  the 
bitterness  of  despair,  as  the  hopelessness  of  the  future 
came  forcibly  upon  him. 

Nevertheless,  he  kept  step  with  his  men,  nor  was  it 
long  before  his  spirits  recovered  their  usual  elasticity. 

Some  two  hours'  march  brought  them  to  a  portion  of 
the  beach  where  its  usually  smooth  sands  were  broken 
by  coquina  rocks,  with  pools  of  water  between  them  as 
the  tide  was  rapidly  coming  in.  Here,  some  sea  bass 
were  secured  by  spearing,  and  after  placing  a  few  miles 
of  this  rough  section,  rapidly  becoming  impassible 
through  the  rise  of  the  tide,  between  them  and  possible 
pursuit,  a  halt  was  called  for  dinner. 

Fire  was  kindled  with  flint  and  steel,  and  what  with 
flsh,  ship  biscuit,  of  which  they  had  a  little  store,  water 
from  their  flasks  and  the  berries  of  the  saw  palmetto, 
which  were  abundant  among  the  sand  hills,  they  made  a 
meal  and  then  resumed  their  march ;  the  latter  part  of 
wliich  was  rendered  toilsome  by  the  high  tide,  compel- 
ling them  to  march  over  the  sand  dunes. 

As  the  shades  of  night  began  to  close  around  them, 


STORY  OP  THE  HUGUENOTS.  Ill 


some  twenty  miles  south  of  the  inlet,  the  campflres  of  the 
main  body  were  sighted,  and  shortly  after  they  joined 
their  companions,  who  crowded  around  them  for  tidings. 

D'Erlach  left  to  his  men  the  telling  of  what  little  they 
knew  to  their  comrades  and  related  what  he  had  last 
seen  of  Ribault  to  Rotrou,  his  brother  Ernest,  La  Caille, 
D'Alembert  and  Uhlrich,  at  their  campfire.  The  latter 
had  borne  the  march  well,  having  walked  much  of  the 
way,  and  was  rapidly  recovering. 

To  him,  every  incident  was  significant,  and  when 
D'Erlach  told  of  seeing  Ribault  and  his  seven  compan- 
ions marched  toward  the  forest,  he  said  ''  Poor  men!  It 
was  to  their  death  they  went,  for  all  know,  not  one  of 
those  in  that  first  boat  load  would  ever  deny  their  faith 
and  that  I  know  is  the  only  condition  the  murderer  Mel- 
endez  would  offer  them." 

Sentinels  were  posted  both  upon  the  beach  and  else- 
where to  guard  againsts  urprise  from  either  Spaniards  or 
Indians,  although  from  the  latter  little  was  feared.  In 
this  vicinity  the  Indian  settlement  lay  in  a  heavy  ham- 
mock beyond  the  marsh,  where  were  large  shell  mounds 
and  fertile  gardens.  From  the  aborigines  the  French  had 
so  far  met  with  only  kindness,  and  they  had  mutually 
cultivated  good  will. 

D'Erlach  found  that  it  was  fortunate  indeed  that 
Uhlrich  was  with  the  Huguenots  on  their  march,  for 
they  were  so  disheartened  by  present  hardships  and  the 
outlook  for  the  future,  that  without  his  jjersistent  com- 
batting of  their  disposition  to  repent  of  their  retreat  from 
Matanzas,  probably  many  would  have  returned  even 
after  the  march  began,  to  share  the  fate  of  their  former 
comrades. 


FLORIDA   HISTORICAL  TALES.  112 

Fortunately ,:also,  it  was  the  season  of  the  year  when 
the  climate  is  almost  perfection ;  cool  seawinds  temper- 
ing the  sunshine  and  driving  away  the  pests  af  mosqui- 
toes and  sandflies,  which,  at  times,  rendered  life  on  these 
coasts  a  torment.  Game  and  fish  also  abounded,  and 
there  was  no  lack  of  necessary  food  in  the  camp.  A 
well  had  been  scooped  out  at  the  foot  of  the  hill  on  the 
inside  of  the  peninsula,  which  here  was  very  narrow,  be- 
ing only  about  a  furlong  in  width,  and  from  this  they 
had  an  abundance  of  drinking  water.  The  little  hollows 
back  of  t!ie  sand  barriers,  furnished  comfortable  camp- 
ing places,  and  palmetto  leaves  for  bedding. 

Wearied  with  the  excitements  of  the  day,  and  the 
tiresome  marches,  the  whole  camp  was  soon  asleep,  ex- 
cept the  sentinels. 

Not  long,  however,  did  D'Erlach  wander  in  dream- 
land. Nay,  it  seemed  to  him  that  he  had  barely  crossed 
its  boundary  line  when  the  voice  of  Rotrou  (returning 
from  the  outposts)  aroused  him.    ''Awaken,  Chevalier!" 

''What  is  it,  monami?"  he  asked,  springing  to  his 
feet. 

'*  Follow  me  to  the  beach.  There  is  a  sound  at  sea 
that  is  a  marvel  I  cannot  make  out.  The  guards  have 
heard  it,  and  are  amazed." 

Luigo,  the  Florentine  bugler,  who  had  remained 
with  this  portion  of  the  force,  rose  also  and  went  with 
them. 

The  wind  had  quieted  down  with  the  setting  sun,  but 
quite  a  surf  was  still  tumbling  on  the  outer  bar,  with 
crests  which  ran  along  its  edge  in  phosphorescent  flames, 
made  more  brilliant  by  the  dark  waters  behind. 

At  first  their  itraining  oars  caught  only  the  cries  of 


STOBY   OF  THE   HUGUENOTS.  113 

night  birds  wheeling  through  the  dark,  vast  concave 
overhead,  or  the  boom  of  the  bull  alligator  from  the 
marsh. 

Naught  else  but  these  nocturnal  sounds  and  the  steady 
crashing  of  the  surf  upon  the  sands  could  beheard. 

Then  there  came  floating  in  from  a  distant  point  at 
sea,  strains  of  sweet,  solemn  music,  to  which  the  ocean's 
voice  served  as  the  deep  bass  of  a  cathedral  organ. 

Nearer,  gradually  and  clearer,  the  sweet,  sad  sounds 
floated  over  tlie  ocean's  breast  and  penetrated  to  their 
very  hearts,  until  at  last  they  swelled  into  the  perfect 
rhythm  of  the  old  plaintive  funeral  march,  where  with  the 
mountain  brotherhoods  of  the  Vosges  and  the  Alps,  in  tlie 
days  of  persecution  and  peril  buried  their  lamented  dead. 

Now  high  and  clear,  tho'  distant,  arose  the  notes  as 
if  appealing  to  high  heaven  for  help  of  angel  hands,  to 
bear  a  freed  soul  to  its  immortal  home.  Now,  low  and 
trembling  with  deep  pathos,  the  tones  came  over  the 
water  like  the  wail  of  a  broken  heart.  There  was  behind 
it  all  the  measured  sound  of  chanting  voices  and  instinc- 
tively there  came  into  D'Erlach's  mind  the  words  of  the 
psalm : 

''Yea,    tliough   I  walk    through    the    valley  of   the 

shadow  of  Deatli, 
"I  will  fear  no  evil,  for  Thou  art  with  me." 

Wliatever  it  might  be  in  origin,  the  three,  warriors  of 
proof  though  they  were,  fell  upon  their  knees  on  the  wet 
sands  and  their  leader  murmured  reverently  the  words; 

"Sit  Nomen  Domini  Benedictum."  (Blessed  be  the 
Name  of  the  Lord.) 

It  was,  so  they  thought,  the  last  requiem  for  their  ill-' 
fated  comrades,  sung,  perhaps,  by  angel  voices. 


114  FIX)BIDA  HISTORICAL  TALES. 


CHAPTER  XVI. 

OHRVALIER      D'OTTIQNY      AND     HIS     CK)MPANIONS     GAIN 
THE    OAMP. 

The  swift  succession  of  calamities  and  misfortunes 
which  had  befallen  them;  their  isolation  in  this  strange 
land ;  their  sorrow  for  their  lost  comrades,  had  chastened 
their  spirits,  and  this  act  of  devotion  under  the  impulse 
of  the  moment,  reflected  no  discredit  upon  their  courage 
and  true-heartedness.  Rather,  indeed,  it  strengthened 
those  elements  of  their  characters,  and  as  they  rose  from 
their  knees,  aroused  thereto  by  a  renewal  of  the  music 
upon  the  waters,  they  felt  less  of  a  superstitious  fear  nat- 
ural to  that  age,  than  wonder  at  the  cause. 

''Were  we  not  here  upon  this  distant  ocean  shore,  so 
many  countless  leagues  from  France,  I  would  say,  there 
is  yonder  a  funeral  barge  carrying  some  brave  warrior  to 
his  final  home.  But  it  cannot  be ;  nor  is  this  yet  a  dream,'* 
uaid  D'Erlach. 

"What  can  it  be— ah,  here  comes  the  outpost  down 
the  beach— what  news,  men?"  uttered  Rotrou,  turning  to 
face  the  three  who  had  been  stationed  some  distance 
away  from  the  camp. 

"Captain,  you  have  heard  those  sounds  which  we 
liave  followed  along  the  shore,  what  do  they  mean?" 

Rotrou  shook  his  head  to  signify  that  he  did  not 
know,  and  stirred  up  the  dull  embers  of  a  fire  near  by, 
throwing  upon  it  an  armful  of  dry  palm  leaves  and  drift- 
wood, which  made  a  bright  flare  shining  far  over  the  sea. 


STORY  OF  THE  HUGUENOTS.  115 

As  the  flames  shot  up,  there  rang  out  above  the 
sound  of  the  surf  a  buj^le  call  for  a  parley ;  the  same  with 
which  the  Spanish  camp  at  Matanzas  had  been  hailed. 

"If  that  be  not  Le  Bearnois,  never  have  I  heard  him 
blow  a  bugle!"  exclaimed  Luigo,  placing  his  own  trum- 
pet to  his  mouth  and  blowing  such  a  blast  in  answer  as 
-awakened  the  whole  camp,  causing  tiie  astonished  sol- 
<iiers  to  rush  over  the  bank  and  down  upon  the  beach  as 
if  the  foe  was  upon  them. 

Back  came  the  answer,  and  then  wuth  a  ringing  shout, 
a  boat  sliot  out  of  the  misty  darkness  which  had  hidden 
it  from  sight,  close  up  to  the  breakers  on  the  bar  within 
the  reach  of  the  firelight. 

"Per  Baccho — it  is  Perraultl  By  all  that's  wonder- 
ful!" 

"And  Ottigny!    God  be  praised!" 

"Hold  hard!  Wait  until  that  wave  breaks,  and  then 
pull  in!"  shouted  Rotrou,  rushing  forward  with  a  dozen 
stout,  willing  men  to  seize  the  boat  in  the  midst  of  the 
breakers,  and  pull  it  on  the  sands. 

It  was  soon  done,  and  in  a  moment  tlie  whole  beach 
rang  with  acclamations  and  shouts  of  welcome.  Ot- 
tigny,  Le  Bearnois  and  their  six  brave  companions,  were 
safe  amongst  their  comrades,  who  fairly  wept  with  joy  at 
greeting  them  again. 

" 'Tis  as  it  will  be  at  the  resurrection  morn!"  said 
one  bronzed  soldier  to  another.  "Luigo,  like  the  angel 
Oabriel,  blew  his  trumpet  and  lo,  the  very  sea  gave  up 
the  ones  we  had  surely  counted  with  the  dead!" 

Then,  there  was  indeed  so  strange  a  scene  as  never 
was  before,  nor  ever  will  be  again  enacted  on  this  lonely 
strand,  backed  by  the  unknown  savage  wilderness  of 


116  FLORIDA  HISTORICAL  TALES. 

land  and  lake ;  of  marsh  and  forest  covered  plains  and 
hills,  stretching  westward  under  the  shades  and  stars  of 
night,  how  far,  how  vast,  tiiey  knew  not;  bounded  on  the 
eastward  by  the  still  more  illimitable  ocean  upon  whose 
ever  restless  bosom  their  keels  had  left  no  trail  to  mark 
the  homeward  way. 

Men  wept  like  children,  as  they  grasped  their  rescued 
comrades'  hands,  or  threw  their  arms  around  them  in 
the  warm-hearted  French  fashion.  Order  and  discipline 
were  forgotten;  even  the  sentinels  crowded  in  to  give 
their  greeting  unreproved .  All  had  grasped  their  arms  at 
the  first  alarm,  but  few  had  donned  their  armor  and 
many  were  bare  of  casque  or  morion. 

Still  higher  leaped  the  bivouac  flames,  throwing  a 
ruddy  glare  over  the  little  army  gathered  there  to  hear 
Ottigny's  story,  for  naught  would  satisfy  them  but  to  be 
told  it  all. 

There  were  cries  of  rage,  groans  and  curses  even,  as 
he  told  of  the  fateful  disappearance  into  the  forest,  with 
the  blood  stained  assassin  guard,  of  each  detachment, 
the  names  of  whose  members  were  whispered  apiongst 
their  individual  friends  as  if  they  stood  by  their  biers. 
But  when  the  Chevalier,  oft  interrupted  by  his  comrades, 
told  of  the  scene,  which,  at  the  last,  nearly  redeemed  the 
dark  Matanzas  tragedy,  their  shouts  were  almost  loud 
enough  to  be  echoed  over  the  weary  leagues  back  to  the 
Spanish  camp. 

The  story  of  Ls  Bearnols*  bugle  blast  of  defiance,  as 
the  boat  shot  out  of  Matanzas  Inlet  under  a  hail  of  bul- 
lets, warmed  up  Luigo  until  with  his  own  trumpet,  he 
made  the  welkin  ring  with  all  the  strains  and  notes  of 
t-riumph,  his  skill  and  breath  could  call  from  the  quiver- 


STORY  OF  THE  HUGUENOTS.  .    .  .^  117 

.^_ 


ing  metal. 

Last,  was  told  the  brief  story  of  the  weary  toiling 
with  the  oars  southward  along  the  shore  and  the  watch- 
ing for  the  friendly  campflres,  which  they  had  hoped  to 
see  sooner.  How,  knowing  the  camp  could  not  be  far 
away,  yet  not  daring  to  attempt  to  land  until  they  knew, 
Le  Bearnois  had  taken  his  bugle  and  overwhelmed  with 
thoughts  of  those,  who  were  lying  stark  and  still  behind 
them,  had  played  the  funeral  march,  to  which  the  others 
had  joined  their  voices  and  the  measured  stroke  of  oars. 

It  was  a  midnight  hour  of  mingled  rage  and  joy,  In 
which  these  emotions  ruled  every  soul  with  despotic 
sway.  And  ill  indeed,  would  it  have  fared  with  the 
cruel,  treacherous  Spaniards,  from  their  leader  down  to 
the  veriest  scullion  of  them  all,  had  they  been  within 
striking  distance.  But  they  were  leagues  away;  the 
king  burcher  hardly  knowing  whether  he  was  on  earth  or 
in  Hades;  his  wretched  life  only  saved  from  the  mijj:hty 
blow  Ottigny  had  dealt  him,  by  the  goodness  of  his  Mi- 
lan armor. 

There  was  one  among  them,  half  chaplain,  half  sol- 
dier, who  had  a  book  of  warlike  hymns  and  psalmn  vers- 
ified, such  as  many  of  them  had  sung  when  marching 
into  battle  on  the  hottest  fields  of  France.  Songs,  born 
of  poet  souls  in  the  Desert  of  the  Gard,  the  valleys  of 
Auvergne  and  Savoy;  full  of  mystic  fervor  and  faith, 
well  fitted  to  the  age  and  the  hour.  Stepping  into  the 
center  of  the  circle  where  the  firelight  fell  full  upon  the 
page  he  began  to  sing  one  of  the  most  familiar. 

Scarce  had  his  tongue  given  sound  to  the  first  word, 
when  more  than  two  hundred  voices  joined  in  drowning 
the  dull  thunder  of  the  billows  breaking  at  their  feet,  with 


.il8  FLORIDA  HISTORICAL  TALES. 


waves  of  melody  that  stormed  the  very  gates  of  heaven. 

Then  came  a  praye,  with  every  knee  bent  upon  the 
§ands,  of  such  impassioned  and  indescribable  fervor; 
.SO  strangely  mingled  with  pleadings  for  Providential 
help  and  lust  vengeance  on  their  merciless  foes — as  sel- 
dom has  been  before  or  since  uttered  by  poor  human  lips. 

Three  hundred  years  and  more  have  gone  since  then, 
laden  with  the  lives  of  millions,  burdened  with  joy  and 
sorrow,  and  there  is  scarcely  anywhere  in  the  world,  a 
handful  of  dust,  a  sign,  a  trace,  or  a  name  to  recall  the 
memory  of  these  men,  so  utterly  forgotten  by  their  God 
and  lost  to  all  their  kindred.  And  yet  who  will  dare  to 
sajr,  they  lived  and  battled  bravely  with  untoward  fate 
in  vain  and  to  no  end  but  oblivion.  * 

*  Note. — The  scene  here  described  occurred  near  the 
House  of  Refuge,  on  the  upper  Halifax. 


STORY  OF  THE  HUGUENOTS.  U9 


CHAPTER  XVII. 

''LE    CAMP     BENOONTE    FELICE." — THE     VOYAGE     DOWN 
THE  HALIFAX    RIVER. 

'*Le  Camp  Renconte  Felice,"  or  the  Camp  of  the 
Happy  Meeting,  was  the  name  bestowed  by  the  remnant 
of  the  Huguenot  forces,  upon  the  site  of  this  re-union  of 
Ottigny  and  his  comrades  with  the  rest,  and  strange  as 
it  may  seem,  not  all  the  sad  news  the  Chevalier  had 
brought  of  the  fate  of  Ribault  and  liis  companions 
quenched  the  feelings  of  admiration  and  pleasure, 
aroused  in  their  hearts,  by  the  brave  and  successful  ex- 
ploit of  an  unarmed  handful  of  men,  so  absolutely  in  the 
toils  of  the  merciless  foe,  it  seemed  indeed  a  miracle 
which  saved  them. 

Before,  tbey  had  been  so  benumbed  by  apathy  and 
despair  as  to  be  incapable  of  any  attempt  to  conquer  the 
difficulties  by  which  they  were  surrounded,  except  by 
flight  or  surrender. 

Now,  however,  the  blood  coursed  through  their  veins 
with  renewed  ardor.  A  ray  of  hope  shot  over  their  dark 
horizon,  and  new  courage  came  to  them.  They  were  mer>' 
at  least  as  strong  as  the  eight  who,  at  the  last  moment, 
disarmed,  and  apparently  at  the  mercy  of  Melendez,  had 
suddenly,  by  brave  audacity  and  prompt  action,  broken 
the  occult  spell  of  his  power. 

So,  in  the  morning,  instead  of  a  dispirited  rabble, 
fleeing,  they  knew  not  where,  to  escape  they  knew  not 
what,  the  whole  body  was  ready  to  listen  to  wise  coun- 


^ 


FLORIDA  HISTORICAL.  TALES. 


«ei  and  to  bravely  cany  out  the  best  plan  that  could  be 
devised. 

Having  thought  the  matter  over  thoroughly,  D'Er- 
lach  had  concluded  that  no  attack  from  Melendez  was 
to  be  apprehended  soon,  for  whether  or  not  he  was  seri- 
ously wounded,  his  force  was  evidently  not  large  enough 
to  risk  pursuit  and  possible  successful  resistance.  Here- 
tofore the  Spaniards  had  been  the  easy  victors.  Now 
they  had  wounded  and  dead  of  their  own  to  care  for.  In 
the  melee  with  Ottigny  it  was  certain  there  were  several 
of  them  slain  outright,  and  others  severely  wounded. 
More  than  likely,  also,  affairs  at  the  St.  Augustine  settle- 
ment would  need  their  immediate  return  to  that  place. 

This  would  give  the  Huguenots  a  breathing  spell, 
time  to  plan,  and,  perhaps,  successfully  e^ciecute  their 
eBcape  from  Florida,  encompassed  as  it  was  by  many  dif- 
ficulties. 

For  the  present,  Ottigny  was  tlie  hero  of  the  hour, 
and  to  him  D'Erlach  gave  the  full  meed  of  praise  his 
gallantry  deserved.  But  his  was  not  the  liead  to  solve 
the  problems,  or  to  direct  the  execution  of  plans  which 
must  bo  laid  carefully,  if  success  was  to  be  attained. 
Pierre  Rotrou,  the  Breton  captain,  was  as  staunch  and 
true  as  the  needle  of  a  compass ;  the  master  sailor  of  Ri- 
bault's  fleet,  and  put  him  on  ship  board,  not  to  be  excelled. 
He,  too,  could  fence  or  parry  with  the  best  of  them,  hold 
a  breach,  lead  an  assault  or  repel  boarders,  but  was 
scarce  a  leader  for  such  straits. 

La  Caille  was  a  brave  and  dauntless  soldier,  a  good 
tfainer  at  arms  and  discipline,  a  man  to  be  trusted  to  ex- 
ecute commands,  but  not  to  plan. 

D'AIembert  was  brave,  but  reckless  and  impatient, 


STOBY   OF  THK   HUGUENOTS.  121 


subject  to  extremes  of  feeling,  and  greatly  ruled  by  them. 

Clear-headed,  brave  as  a  lion,  full  of  resources,  skill- 
ful in  planning  and  prompt  in  execution,  the  one  man  of 
them  all  to  lead,  direct,  command,  was  D'Erlach,  and 
therefore  upon  him  devolved  the  care  of  all  by  nature,  as 
well  as  by  the  rank  he  had  held  under  both  Laudonniere 
and  Bibault. 

Early  iu  the  morning,  accompanied  by  Ernest,  he 
made  his  way  to  tlie  highest  sandhill,  a  half  mile  from 
the  camp,  and  from  it  looked  over  the  country  to  the 
west  and  south.  There  were  little  groves  of  oak,  cedar 
and  palms  (or  palmettos,  as  tiiey  are  commonly  called), 
along  the  inner  edge  of  the  peninsula,  against  whicli 
curved,  occasionally,  a  creek,  winding  smuously  with  al- 
ternate narrow  course  or  broad  expansion,  through  a 
great  sea  of  grass-covered  marsh  lands,  extending  nortli 
and  south  as  far  as  eye  could  reacli  and  bounded  on  the 
west  by  lieavy  forests  from  which  ascended  the  smoke  of 
fires  marking  tlie  site  of  Indian  settlements.  Beautiful 
detached  clumps  and  masses  of  palm  trees  were  inter- 
spersed over  the  basin  like  fairy  islets. 

Flocks  of  waterfowl,  including  white  and  gray  her- 
ons, the  pink  curlew,  white  and  gray  cranes,  ducks  of 
many  varieties,  in  countless  numbers  enlivened  the  waters 
or  the  shores,  wliile  overhead  sailed  eagles  and  fish- 
hawks,  the  former  remorselessly  plundering  the  latter, 
even  as  they  do  today. 

Over  the  little  hills  and  dales  of  the  narrow  strip  of 
highland  forming  the  eastward  barrier  of  this  basin,  ran 
billows  of  many  hued  vegetation,  chiefly  shades  of  gray 
and  green  mingled  with  patclies  of  red  and  gold  from 
wild  flowers  wet  with  dew  drops  glinting  in  the  morning 


122  FLORIDA  HISTORICAL  TALKS. 

rays,  while  the  air  was  pure  and  sweet  with  briny  vapor 
and  fragrance  of  spicy  leaves. 

Yet,  from  this  scene,  so  fair,  so  full  of  grace  and 
beauty,  because  it  was  so  wild  and  strange  that  by  con- 
traries  it  recalled  the  far  home  hamlet,  with  castellated 
walls  on  over-hanging  heights,  D'Erlach  turned  with  a 
sigh. 

He  had  seen  what  he  wished,  and  that  was  enough 
to  tell  him  that  this  tortuous  tidal  stream  connected 
with  the  broader,  deeper  sheet  of  water  which  swept  far 
southward  almost  to  Canaveral,  and  so  went  back  to 
camp  and  called  his  comrades  into  council. 

To  them  he  proposed  the  transfer  of  the  bateau 
across  the  peninsula  to  the  creek  and  while  they  con- 
ducted the  removal  of  the  camp,  some  four  leagues  do\\T> 
the  coast  to  where,  on  the  inner  shore,  there  was  a  large 
Indian  village,  confronted  on  the  mainland  side  by  an- 
other, both  under  the  same  chief,  Ostinola,  whose  rule 
extended  over  all  the  tribal  villages  that  occupied  the 
shores  of  these  waters  as  far  as  the  waters  of  the  inlet, 
by  which  they  were  connected  with  the  ocean,  he  would 
explore  the  river.  Could  he  make  terms  of  peace  and  al- 
liance with  Ostinola  and  his  people  (of  whom  he  had 
heard  much  good  while  on  his  march  northward),  he 
might  secure  such  means  of  transportation  by  water  as 
would  at  least  greatly  lighten  the  burdens  of  the  march, 
and  also  establish  a  courier  system  from  village  to  vil- 
lage, that  would  enable  them  at  any  time  to  get  news  of 
it,  should  their  enemy  advance  upon  them. 

The  bateau  was  originally  a  Spanish  ship  boat,  well 
built  and  strong,  large  enough  to  carry  ten  men  besides 
six   oarsmen,    A    path    was   speedily  cut  through   the 


8T0BY  OF  THE  HUGUENOTS.  128 

brush,  and  as  many  men  as  could  j^et  hold  of  it,  picked 
up  the  boat  and  carried  it  over  the  sand  ridge  to  the 
creek,  the  first  white  man's  craft  that  ever  floated  on  it« 
shallow  waters. 

To  Ottigny,  the  command  of  the  litfle  army  was 
given,  with  instructions  to  halt  at  the  first  village  noted, 
until  D'Erlach  should  rejoin  him  or  send  further  orders. 
Arrangements  also  were  made  to  signal  him  from  the 
river  side,  should  his  presence  from  any  cause  be  needed; 
and  so  with  Ernest,  Le  Bearnois  and  Uhlrich,  with  six 
oarsmen,  also  expert  arquebusiers,  D'Erlach  pushed  off 
to  thread  the  devious  water  ways,  leading  to  what  is  now 
known  as  the  Halifax;  Avhile  Ottigny  made  his  arrange^ 
ments  for  striking  camp  and  at  his  leisure  marched 
southward,  for  the  beach  formed  as  royal  a  road  as  ever 
Roman  army  trod  and  the  distance  to  be  covered  was  not 
great,  so  there  was  no  need  of  haste. 


124  riX)RIDA  HISTOBIOAIi  TAL.E8. 


CHAPTER  XVIII. 

THE  SPANIARDS   RETURN  TO  ST.  AUGUSTINE. 

During  this  time  how  fared  it  with  the  Spaniards,  at 
the  Matanzas  camp?  Their  orgie  of  blood  was  brought 
to  a  sudden  termination,  although  immediately  after  the 
escape  of  Ottigny  some  of  tlie  infuriated  and  most  blood- 
thirsty amongst  them,  rushed  at  the  squad  of  catholic 
and  abjuring  Frenchmen  to  slay  them  in  revenge ;  but 
the  friars  interposed  and  before  they  could  be  shoved 
aside,  Martin  de  Ochoa  threw  his  company  of  arquebu- 
siers  around  the  prisoners  and  lialted  their  assailants. 

''Hold!"  He  said  angrily  to  them.  "Ye  have  slain 
enough  defenceless  wretches  today !  Because  a  handful 
of  brave  men  have  escaped  would  ye  dare  violate  the 
sanctity  of  the  Holy  Church,  in  the  persons  of  its  min- 
isters? Back,  bloodhounds !  or  by  my  patron  saint,  I  fire 
upon  you!" 

Tlie  mob  scowled  and  cursed,  but  fell  back,  as  the 
cavalier,  leaving  liis  men  to  guard  the  prisoners,  without 
drawing  his  sword  walked  through  their  midst  to  the 
Adelantado's  tent. 

Here  he  found  Father  Salvandi,  the  chief  of  the 
priests,  with  the  help  of  a  page,  still  engaged  in  remov- 
ing Melendez'  armor,  having  taken  off  the  battered  liel- 
met  and  bathed  his  head  with  water.  In  this  work 
Ochoa  joined  and  sliortly  they  had  the  still  unconscious 
General  stretched  upon  a  pallet. 

"Think  you,  father,  the  blow  is  mortal?" 


STORY   OF   THE   HUGUENOTS.  125 

''I  think  not.  There  is  no  fracture  of  the  skull,  no 
deep  cut,  but  the  blow  was  a  tremendous  one,  That 
bold  heretic  struck  not  lightly.  Had  the  blade  fallen 
squarely  in  the  center  and  not  glanced  off  there  would 
have  been  naught  left  but  masses  for  his  soul!  As  it  is, 
we  had  better  back  to  St.  Augustine  with  him  as  soon  as 
possible." 

Still  strewed  upon  the  sands,  between  the  tent  and 
the  water's  edge  were  the  evidences  of  the  fray ;  four 
dead  or  dying  Spaniards ;  two  also  of  Ottigny's  men  dead 
with  many  wounds,  and  at  the  water's  edge  the  boat 
guard  still  dazed  with  the  blow  that  had  struck  him 
down. 

Ochoa  speedily  made  his  arrangements,  and  recog- 
nizing the  futility  of  pursuing  the  Huguenots,  that  very 
night  fell  back  to  St.  Augustine  with  the  Adelantado 
and  the  main  bulk  of  the  Spanish  forces  by  boat,  the  rest 
marching  at  leisure  along  the  Anastasia  beach. 

This  time  there  were  no  Te  Deums  of  praise,  and 
great  ceremonies  to  celebrate  a  victory,  for  though  the 
leader  of  the  heretic  Huguenots,  and  many  of  his  follow- 
ers, lay  in  bloody  graves,  covered  only  by  the  Matanzas 
sands,  their  own  dead — the  first  for  whom  graves  were 
made  in  St.  Augustine — must  be  duly  laid  away  with  sa- 
cred rites,  although  they  had  been  but  cold-blooded 
murderers ;  and  their  own  woundod  were  to  be  cared  for, 
besides  which  their  Governor's  life  itself  still  hung  in 
the  balance. 

For  many  days  the  sullen  madness  of  that  portion  of 
the  Spaniards,  heretofore  the  deepest  participants  in  the 
massacres,  required  all  the  joint  care  and  skill  of  Ochoa 
and    Salvandi    to    keep    from    murdering    the    prisoner 


126  FliOBIDA  HISTORICAL  TALBS. 

Frenchmen,  whose  lives  were  made  torture  to  them  by 
their  fears. 

It  was  well  for  them  that  some  petty  Indian  forays, 
provoked  by  Spanish  usurpasions  and  cruel  treatment  of 
the  aborigines,  somewhat  employed  the  worst  of  the 
Spaniards,  as  did  also  the  erection  of  stockade  fortifica- 
tions and  store  houses  for  the  new  town. 

In  all,  there  were  only  about  twenty-five  Frenchmen 
l)esides  forty  or  fifty  women  and  children  who  had  es- 
caped from  death  at  La  Caroline  or  Matanzas ;  the  former 
by  virtue  of  their  Catholicism,  actual  or  pretended,  and 
for  their  continued  preservation,  they  were  indebted  to 
an  astute  idea  of  Friar  Salvandi,  by  which  he  contrived 
also  to  secure  the  aggrandizement  of  the  Church. 

There  happened  to  be  amongst  them  two  stone  ma- 
sons. Tlie  only  available,  durable  building  material  in 
the  vicinity,  was  a  species  of  rock  of  marine  formation, 
composed  of  minute  shells  or  fragments  cemented  to- 
gether, called  coquina;  found  abundantly  on  the  north 
point  of  Anastasia  Island,  the  island  stretching  from  St. 
Augustine  inlet  to  the  Matanzas  inlet.  This  rock  is  eas- 
ily quarried  and  cut,  hardening  by  exposure  into  dura- 
bility. 

A  priesthood  without  a  temple  was  an  anomaly,  so 
Salvandi  designed  one  for  erection,  and  to  accomplish  it, 
and  at  the  same  time  protect  his  French  charges,  he  set 
them  to  work  under  the  masons  quarrying  and  shaping 
the  material,  even  the  women  and  cliildren  that  wer« 
able,  working  at  it.  This  separated  them  from  the  mass 
of  the  Spaniards  and  secured  them  better  treatment. 
Thus  these  poor  people,  outcasts  from  their  native  land, 
helped    to  lay  the  foundations    and   to  build   the   first 


STORY  OP  THE  HUOUENOTS.  12T 


church  erected  in  the  United  States,  in  which  their  rutli- 
less,  blood-stained  conquerors  could  celebrate  with  pomp 
and  ceremony  the  worship  of  that  Christ,  born  in  a  stable- 
and  crucified  with  malefactors,  whose  divine  teachings 
were  ever  for  the  brotherhood  of  all  men,  of  whatever 
kindred  and  tongue,  and  averse  to  oppression,  usurpation 
and  bloodshed. 

Strange  irony  of  fate!  Stranger  Providence  it  seems, 
for  while  Fate  may  be  dead  to  the  voice  of  misery,  nay, 
must  be,  God  surely  is  not.  Yet  through  all  this  era,  it 
is  as  if  He  heard  not  the  many  cries  of  misery ;  the  pray- 
ers for  help,  which  went  up  day  and  night  from  the  lips 
of  innocents,  continually  being  robbed,  enslaved,  mur- 
dered, in  all  these  fair  lands  of  the  sun. 

Surely,  this  structure  should  have  been  a  temple 
reared  to  Mars  and  Bellona,  rather  than  a  church  dedi- 
cated to  Christ,  the  Prince  of  Peace  and  his  mother  Mary, 
the  personification  of  Divine  Maternity,  and  the  emblem 
placed  niDon  its  finished  dome  a  battle  pike  crossed  with. 
a  dagger. 


128  FLORIDA  HISTORICAL  TALES. 


CHAPTER  XIX. 

D'ERLAOH'S     voyage    down    the    HALIFAX    RIVER    TO 

ostinola's  town. 

The  channel  of  the  cr.  ek,  although  the  tide  was  at  its 
greatest  height,  was  scarcely  deep  enough  to  float  the 
boat.  It  also  wound  around  over  the  marshy  basin  in 
such  a  way  as  to  add  miles  to  the  direct  distance,  but 
every  curve  and  bend  rounded  had  its  own  peculiar  scene 
of  interest  to  the  lad  Ernest,  especially.  Here,  a  great  al- 
ligator plunged  into  the  muddy  shallows,  or  crashed 
through  the  cat-tail  flags.  There,  a  group  of  cranes  with 
long  sharp  bills,  brandished  like  swords,  watched  in 
solemn  silence  the  strange  boat  approach,  keeping  an  ar- 
row's flight  away,  which  they  had  learned  to  measure 
well;  while  my  raid  ducks  and  herons  in  other  places 
made  the  air  roar  with  their  pinions. 

Of  flsh  there  were  no  end.  Silver  mullet  leaping 
many  times  into  the  morning  sunlight  as  if  at  home  as 
much  in  air  as  in  water,  and  other  larger  flsli,  darting 
here  and  there,  making  great  swells  after  them  through 
the  shallows,  to  mark  their  fliglit. 

It  was  a  royal  aquatic  preserve  of  flsh  and  game,  lit- 
tle disturbed  by  man.  In  one  spot  where  the  stream 
touched  the  western  hammock  there  were  a  few  Indian 
Imts  with  little  gardens  attached,  hastily  abandoned  by 
the  inhabitants,  startled  by  the  strange  apparitions  of 
steel  capped  men  in  a  craft  so  unlike  anything  they  had 
ever  seen  before.    But  D^Erlach  did  not  care  to  laud,  so 


STORY  OF  THE  HUGUENOTS.  129 

as  the  sun  mounted  higher  they  pulled  steadily  on.  In  a 
little  while  they  came  into  deeper  water,  where  the 
banks  were  higher  and,  thickly  clothed  with  cedars  and 
palmettos;  then  to  the  confluence  of  another  creek,  com- 
ing from  the  westward.  Out  of  the  mouth  of  this,  shot 
several  canoes  filled  with  Indians  armed  with  bows  and 
arrows ;  spears  tipped  with  ground  shells  and  fish  bones, 
or  sharpened  in  the  fire ;  war  cliibs  of  heavy  hard  wood, 
and  hatchets  of  stone  or  shell. 

They  were  fine,  athletic  men,  nearly  naked,  their 
bronze  bodies  oddly  painted,  but  their  faces  not  unpleas- 
ant to  look  upon,  for  on  their  countenances  were  de- 
picted only  wonder  and  amazement. 

Rising  to  his  feet,  D'Erlach  made  them  the  sign  of 
peace,  both  hands  raised  with  palms  turned  towards 
them,  and  speaking  to  his  men  to  rest  on  their  oars, 
signed  to  the  Indians  to  come  within  speaking  distance. 
This  they  did  after  some  hesitation  and  a  parley  amongst 
themselves.  The  Huguenot  leader  could  speak  tliat  di- 
alect of  the  Yemassee  or  Uchee  language,  used  by  these 
tribes,  well  enough  for  ordinary  purposes  and  requested 
their  chief  man  to  come  nearer  in  his  canoe.  Immedi- 
ately a  canoe  with  three  men  in  it  shot  out  from  the  little 
squadron  and  came  alongside. 

D'Erlach,  after  greeting  the])  chief  pleasantly,  told 
him  briefly  that  they  "were  Frenchmen,  not  Spaniards, 
and  sought  the  way  to  Ostinola's  town  in  peace  and 
friendship." 

"I,  myself,  will  show  you,"  replied  the  other,  giving 
orders  for  the  rest  to  return  home,  and  then  leading  the 
way  down  the  creek. 

So  strongly  and  skillfully  did  the  three  Indians  ply 


130  FLORIDA  HISTORICAL  TALES. 

their  paddles,  chanting  a  quaint  song  as  they  did  so,  that 
it  was  with  difficulty  the  six  stout  oarsmen  of  the  French 
boat  could  keep  up  with  them. 

The  creek  now  became  broader  and  deeper  and  its 
banks  more  beautiful,  with  towering  palms,  umbrageous 
overhanging  oaks  and  cedars. 

As  they  neared  a  bold  mound  on  the  eastern  side, 
covered  with  a  fine  forest  growth,  the  young  chief  awoke 
the  echoes  with  a  hailing  whoop,  which  brought  to  the 
shore  a  group  of  Indians,  men,  women  and  children, 
showing  there  was  here  a  little  village,  although  from 
the  river  it  could  not  be  seen.  A  mile  below  this  place, 
they  shot  out  suddenly  into  a  noble  expanse  of  water,  * 
with  curving,  shelly  shores,  coves  and  bays  and  blue 
woods  in  the  distance ;  which,  farther  on,  was  narrowed 
to  a  main  channel,  half  a  mile  in  width,  leading  south- 
ward. 

It  was  a  scene  of  matchless,  yet  soft  and  pleasing, 
rather  than  majestic  beauty;  for  unlike  many  other 
lands,  there  were  here  no  high  mountains  or  rugged  cliffs 
and  precipices.  And  yet,  although  the  shores  had  no 
great  elevation,  the  giant  forest  growths  upon  the  ridges 
and  small  hills  made  them  look  higher  than  they  were. 

It  seemed  as  if,  in  making  fheir  exit  from  the  creek's 
mouth,  they  had  entered  anew  world.  Fresh  breezes  blew 
across  the  glittering,  dancing  waters,  upon  whose  shores 
on  either  hand  could  be  seen  the  quaint  Indian  com- 
munal villages,  giving  token  of  a  numerous  peaceful  pop- 
ulation. From  two  or  three  of  these,  many  canoes  shot 
out,  evidently  to  reconnoitre.    Converging  towards  them 

•  Note.— Bulow  Bay  or  Tomoka  Basin,  a  broad  ex- 
panse at  the  head  of  the  Halifax, 


STORY  OF  THE  HUGUENOTS.  131 


from  their  several  points  of  approach  those  who  propelled 
these  canoes  yet  were  cautious,  as  if  not  knowing 
'whether  it  should  be  peace  or  war. 

Amused  at  their  evident  doubts,  Le  Bearnois  sent 
his  bugle  notes  in  all  their  ringing  sweetness  far  and 
wide  over  the  water.  In  their  astonishment  at  the  un- 
wonted sounds,  the  like  of  which  they  never  had  heard 
before,  those  in  the  canoes  stood  still  like  bronze  statues 
pictured  against  the  blue  skies,  witli  every  paddle  mo- 
tionless. 

Then  the  young  chief,  who  was  acting  as  guide  and 
herald,  recovering  from  his  own  surprise,  lifted  a  conch 
shell  fashioned  into  a  trumpet  and  blew  such  discords  as 
grated  on  the  Frenchmen's  ears,  Le  Bearnois'  especially; 
but  which  being  sounds  of  peace  and  amity  to  those  of 
the  Indians,  set  every  paddle  flashing  in  the  sunliglit 
and  drove  every  boat  gracefully  and  swiftly  nearer  to 
them.  Coming  within  speaking  distance,  the  chief  gave 
them  a  concise  and  rapid  explanation,  followed  by  cries 
of  pleasure  and  welcome  on  the  part  of  the  strangers, 
who  joined  their  crafts  in  one  flotilla,  making  a  strange, 
pleasing,  barbaric,  gala  water  scene  as  they  swept  on 
southward  towards  Ostinola's  capital  town,  the  site  of 
which  was  even  then  in  view. 

There  were,  before  the  voyage  was  ended  by  arrival 
at  thatplace,  in  the  convoy,  not  less  than  one  hundred  ca- 
noes, *  made  of  hollowed  cypress  trees  of  various  sizes, 
from  war  boats  thirty  feet  or  more  in  length  down  to 


*  Note. — There  is  even  now  to  be  seen  at  Ormond, 
one  of  these  cypress  canoes  found  buried  in  the  marsh, 
in  the  possession  of  Captain  Wardwell,  showing  mucl^ 
skill  in  its  construction. 


132  FliOBIDA  HISTORICAL  TALES. 

light  fishing  shells  that  skimmed  the  river's  surface  like 
water  birds.  It  was  an  escort  of  honor,  as  well  as  curi- 
osity, and  often  as  they  rowed  along  the  friendly  natives 
begged  Le  Bearnois  to  play  for  them.  It  seemed  as  if 
the  tutelar  deities  of  these  lovely  wilds,  were  in  league 
with  the  player,  for  the  shores  sent  back  the  notes  with 
far,  sweet,  faint  echoes,  which,  with  the  distant  croon- 
ing of  the  surf  heard  over  the  peninsula's  wooded  ridges, 
made  the  perfection  of  harmony. 

When  he  tired,  the  boatmen  and  the  rest  joined  in 
singing  the  chansonettes  of  Margarite  de  Valois  until 
tears  dimmed  their  eyes,  because  of  the  memories  they 
evoked  of  the  home  land  and  other  times. 

And  so,  in  peace  and  welcome,  came  the  Huguenots 
and  their  escort  to  Ostinola's  town,  where  what  recep- 
tion awaited  them  will  be  duly  narrated. 


STORY  OF  THE  HUGUENOTS.  133 


CHAPTER  XX. 

OSTINOIiA'S      WELOOME— THEY     SMOKE      THE      PIPE      OF 
PEACE. 

'Twas  the  hour  of  high  noon  when  D'Erlach  and  his 
Huguenots,  escorted  by  the  flotilla  of  canoes,  reached 
the  front  of  Cacique  Ostinola's  town.  As  yet,  in  this  fair 
land,  the  evil  gods  had  not  spoken.  The  oracles  were 
dumb,  save  only  those  of  sweet,  fair  nature,  speaking 
peace  and  welcome. 

Halting  the  flotilla  an  hundred  yards  from  the  west- 
ern shore,  the  sub  chief,  who  had  guided  them,  stood  up 
in  his  canoe,  and  witli  his  conch,  blew  loud  hailing  notes, 
promptly  answered  from  the  shore.  Then  signalling  for 
all  the  rest  to  await  his  orders,  he  paddled  swiftly  to  the 
little  slieliy  beach,  which  was  the  landing,  marked  by 
many  canoes  and  a  crowd  of  people,  back  ot  whom  was  a 
little  plain  covered  here  and  there  with  palms  and  oaks 
and  cedars,  interspersed  with  gardens  and  many  Indian 
houses,  some  of  which  of  peculiar  build,  stood  upon  large 
shell  mounds.  * 

This  was  the  mainland  side,  and  while  the  friendly 
herald  was  absent,  D'Erlach  noted  how  pleasant  and 
beautiful  was  the  scene.  Northward  and  southward 
stretclied  the  noble  river,  tlie  like  of  which  was  hard  to 
bring  to  mind,  though  many  were  the  lands  he  had  wan- 


*  Note. — This  spot  is  now  known  as  the  Hernandez 
hammock,  near  Ormond. 


134  FLORIDA  HISTORICAL  TALES. 


dered  in.  No  artist  could  i>ortray  its  broad  bosom ;  some- 
times smooth  as  polished  steel,  sometimes  sending  from 
its  surface,  rippling  to  a  gentle  breeze,  a  myraid  shower 
of  sun-born  arrows.  Its  jutting  points,  its  curves  and 
coves,  with  endless  variation  of  groves  of  trees  and  grass 
and  flags,  all  duplicated  by  reflection  in  the  waters ;  as 
•were  the  white  cloud  fragments  sailing  overhead,  and 
the  sun  itself  in  all  its  glory.  And  over  all,  through  all, 
could  be  heard  the  voice  of  the  breakers,  never  silent  day 
or  night;  sometimes  wrathful  with  the  roar  of  tempest, 
full  ot  storm  and  battle,  but  more  often  adding  the  en- 
chantment of  the  universal  mother's  nursing  song. 

Meantime,  a  multitude  of  Indians  gathered  on  the 
ghore;  adding  to  the  picture  as  the  sunlight  fell  full  upon 
their  red  brown  faces,  heron  and  eagle  plumes,  stained 
or  painted  skins  and  mantles,  the  human  interests 
tieeded  to  make  it  perfect. 

Suddenly,  landward  turned  the  eager  faces,  as  the 
measured  beat  of  Indian  drums,  mingled  with  the  conch 
ehells'  wild  rude  notes,  ended  in  so  loud  a  shout  as  shook 
the  forest  and  set  the  wavelets  all  to  dancing. 

Then  Itahoma,  guide  and  herald,  stood  forth  at  the 
water's  edge  and  gave  the  sign  of  welcome.  Whereat, 
with  one  stroke,  flve  hundred  paddles  fell  upon  the  water, 
and  with  one  impulse  moved  forward  before  D'Erlach's 
men  could  grasp  their  oars.  But  dashing  through  the 
shallow  waters,  came  a  dozen  agile  young  men,  who 
Heized  the  bateau  and  rushed  it  to  the  shore  with  ring- 
ing shouts  of  joy  and  friendship. 

Men,  women  and  children,  thronged  the  landing. 
None  showed  a  particle  of  fear.  All  wore  smiles  of  pleas- 
ant greeting,  mixed  with  looks  of  awe  and  wonder.  Their 


STORY  OF  THE  HUGUENOTS.  135 

expressions  seemed  to  say:  ^'Surely,  the  gods  have  come 
again.  Let  us  give  them  such  a  welcome  they  will  stay 
with  us  forever  I" 

Some  gently  touched  the  garments  of  the  strangors. 
Some  knelt  upon  the  ground,  and  gazed  up  into  their 
faces  almost  in  worship.  But  eager  as  they  were  to  give 
expression  to  their  admiration  and  good  will;  thrilled 
through  every  fiber  of  their  being  with  excitement;  so 
much  natural  grace  and  courtesy  ruled  the  host,  one 
could  scarcely  deem  them  the  untutored  children  of  na- 
ture that  they  were. 

Proud  of  the  honor  and  distinction,  their  herald  greeted 
them  and  bade  them  follow.  The  throng  parted  right 
and  left,  as  he  conducted  the  little  party  to  where,  be- 
neath a  spreading  live  oak,  there  stood  a  stately  man  and 
woman,  clad  in  Indian  gala  costumes  of  soft  dressed 
skins  and  brightly  stained  or  dyed  woven  cloth ;  the 
former  armed  with  spear,  a  massive  bow  and  beaded 
quiver  full  of  arrows,  crowned  with  a  plumed  head-dress, 
and  looking  every  inch  a  chieftain,  in  his  lithe  and  per- 
fect manliness.  While  the  woman  at  his  side,  with  limbs 
and  form  as  rounded  and  well  proportioned  as  a  goddess 
carved  from  tawny  marble,  seemed  by  the  grace  of  God 
and  Nature,  a  fit  and  queenly  mate. 

They  were  recognized  at  once  by  D'Erlach,  from 
the  description  given  by  the  guide  on  the  way  thither, 
as  the  Cacique  Ostinola  and  his  wife,  Cowena. 

The  Chevalier  doffed  his  steel  cap  and  bowed  low 
with  all  the  courtly  grace  of  a  Frenchman,  as  did  also, 
his  followers. 

Then  Ostinola,  handing  spear  and  bow  to  an  attend- 
ant, stepped  forward,  and,  placing  iiis  liand  upon  D'Er- 


136  FLORIDA  HISTORIOAL  TALES. 

— • ■ 

lach's  breast,  said :  ''Son  of  the  morning  skies !  Wel- 
come to  this  land  by  sea  and  river.  Let  us  be  brothers." 
Tlien  D'Erlach  doing  likewise,  answered:  "I  greet 
thee,  my  brother !  May  there  always  be  peace  between 
thee  and  me,  thy  people  and  my  people." 

"As  long  as  the  tides  shall  flow,  the  stars  sparkle,  the 
sun  and  the  moon  measure  day  and  night,  so  be  it!"  said 
Ostinola,  then,  to  the  multitude,  "Hear  ye,  my  people! 
These  men  are  our  brothers.  Henceforth  let  them  be  as 
free  in  this  land  as  ye  are;  our  homes  be  theirs,  for  the 
Great  Spirit,  whose  children  are  in  all  the  earth,  has  sent 
them  to  us!" 

There  stepped  forward  now,  two  old  men,  neither  in- 
firm of  mind  of  body,  but  grave  and  dignified,  bearing 
their  marks  of  age  as  bravely,  as  they  had  the  grace  and 
vigor  of  their  long  vanished  youth.  They  were  so 
wrinkled,  their  eyes  so  deep  set  and  their  garb  so  quaint 
and  grotesque,  that  one  of  the  boatmen,  a  late  comer 
with  Ribault,  whispered  to  Uhlrich,  surely,  they  are  sor- 
cerers." 

"Not  so,  my  friend,"  answered  Uhlrich.  "They  are 
the  wise  men  of  the  nation,  and  the  bearers  of  the  pipe  of 
peace." 

One  carried  a  reed  upon  the  end  of  which  was  an 
earthen  bowl,  the  other,  a  brand  tipped  with  a  live  coal. 
The  first  took  from  a  pouch  some  dried  leaves,  with 
which,  after  rubbing  them  between  the  palms  of  his 
hands,  he  filled  the  pipe,  to  which  the  other  applied  the 
fire.  When  the  leaves  ignited,  the  bearer  extended  the 
pipe  at  arm  length  to  the  north,  west,  south  and  east, 
chanting  an  invocation  reverently,  then  handed  it  to  Os- 
tinola, who,  taking  a  puflP,  gave  it  in  turn  to  D'Erlach, 


STORY  OF  THE   HUGUENOTS.  137 


who  did  the  same  and  returned  it  to  the  pipe-bearer.  This 
was  the  typical  ratification  of  the  bond  of  peace  between 
them  all,  and  they  were  henceforth  brethren. 

The  air  rang  with  shouts  of  acclamation ;  drums  beat ; 
the  clamor  of  the  conch  shells  was  again  heard  and  so 
joyful  and  exciting  was  the  moment,  Le  Bearnois  un- 
slung  his  bugle  and  blew  his  merriest  notes.  Amazed,  and 
yet  thrilled  with  pleasure ;  scarce  knowing  whether  or  not 
to  fall  upon  their  knees,  betake  themselves  incontinently 
to  the  forest,  yet  unable  to  move  a  step ;  the  natives  ceased 
their  own  rejoicing  sounds,  until  only  the  bugle  woke  the 
forest  and  river  eclioes. 

As  he  ceased,  the  Cacique's  wife  clapped  her  hands 
and  forth  came  from  a  house  near  by  a  band  of  girls, 
decked  with  wreaths  of  flowers,  with  bracelets  and  neck- 
laces of  pearly  shells  and  bright  red  beads ;  some  witli 
light  mantles  of  brilliant  feather  work;  others  with  gar- 
ments made  of  grass  cloth  or  deer  skins  finely  dressed 
and  soft  as  velvet. 

These  surrounded  the  group  of  Frenchmen  with 
joined  hands,  and,  at  a  signal  from  their  leader,  began  to 
circle  about  them,  facing  in  and  out  and  changing  places ; 
keeping  time  with  hands  and  feet  to  song  and  drum 
beat,  in  sucli  a  strange,  yet  pleasing,  mystic  way,  as  was 
bewildering.  Each  time  tlieir  leader  reached  the  point 
between  the  Cacique  and  D'Erlach,  all  lightly  touched 
the  ground  with  their  knees.  This  they  did  three  times 
and  then  vanished  as  suddenly  as  they  came. 

Thus  did  Ostinola  and  his  people  give  a  welcome  to 
the  strangers,  crowning  it  with  a  feast  in  liis  own  house, 
of  fruits  and  vegetables  from  the  gardens,  fish  from  the 
river  and  game  from  the  forest. 


188  FLOBIDA   HISTORICAL  TALES. 


CHAPTER  XXI. 

OSTINOLA  AND   HIS    PEOPLE — WHAT  MANNER  OF  FOLK& 
THEY   WERE. 

The  Cacique's  house,  to  which  the  Huguenots  were 
conducted  hy  their  host  for  dinner,  was  a  large  structure 
upon  a  shell  mound,  an  hundred  yards  or  more  from  the 
river  shore.  Upon  the  western  side  was  an  open  space 
nearly  square,  surrounded  by  many  other  houses;  the 
whole,  numerous  and  large  enough  to  accommodate  many 
people.  Upon  another  mound  near  by,  was  the  house  of 
the  Medicine  Men,  and  yet  another  similar  elevation 
close  to  the  river  shore,  served  as  the  site  of  a  fire  beacon, 
whose  light  by  night  and  smoke  by  day,  could  be  seen  far 
up  and  down  the  river. 

Ostinola,  learning  from  D'Erlach  that  his  men  might 
soon  be  expected  on  their  march  down  the  beach,  sent 
messengers  to  his  people  on  the  other  side  to  await  their 
coming  and  bring  them  across  the  river  so  that  all,  that 
night,  might  have  a  joyous  festival.  With  these  mes- 
sengers D'Erlach  sent  a  written  missive  to  Ottigny  and 
Rotrou,  stating  that  they  might  trust  implicitly  the 
bearers.  And  as  he  wrote  it,  using  Andreas  Le  Roche's 
inkhorn,  the  Indians  looked  curiously  upon  him.  So  he 
told  them  that  the  paper  would  bid  his  men  that  they 
should  cross  the  river  to  meet  many  friends  and  fear  no 
evil.  One  said:  "Hu!  It  is  a  talking  leaf !"  The  mes- 
senger, to  whom  it  was  given  placed  it  to  his  ear  and 
said,  doubting  that  it  was  but  jest,  ''I  hear  it  not.    It 


STOBY  OF  THE  HUGUENOTS.  139 

has  no  tongue."  Ostinola,  however,  bade  him  take  it 
and  do  as  he  was  bidden,  which  he  did,  and  often  after- 
wards, in  telling  of  it,  would  say,  that  it  was  surely  ''Mal- 
ichee"  (or  sorcery)  "for  when  I  gave  it  to  the  pale  face 
chief,  his  face  shone  like  the  sun,  and  all  his  men 
straightway  clapped  their  hands  for  joy." 

It  is  not  needful  to  say  that  D'Erlach  and  his  com- 
panions did  enjoy  the  repast  spread  before  them,  with 
the  kindly  courtesies  of  the  Cacique  and  his  chief  men, 
after  their  many  days  of  toil  and  peril;  and  that  between 
them  there  sprang  up  so  strong  a  feeling  of  friendship 
and  respect,  as  put  away  all  distrust  and  suspicion. 

After  the  feast,  D'Erlach  sent  his  brother  to  the  bat- 
eau, to  bring  some  strings  of  hawks  bells,  bright  Vene- 
tian beads  of  glass  and  a  spare  sword,  with  the  belt  that 
held  its  scabbard. 

The  latter  he  gave  to  Ostinola,  and  taught  him  how 
to  wear  it;  the  others  he  presented  to  the  Cacique's  wife, 
and  the  girl  who  led  the  band  of  maidens,  whose  name 
was  Issena,  the  daughter  of  Cowena's  sister.  Never  had 
they  received  such  gifts  before,  and  it  was  a  great  pleas- 
ure to  witness  their  artless  delight  and  wonder  over 
them. 

Then  they  rambled  amongst  the  gardens,  by  little 
paths  that  led  from  one  to  another.  In  these  gardens 
were  still  growing,  though  it  was  October,  many  things 
for  food  and  other  uses,  with  signs  of  lately  gathered 
harvests  of  maize  and  beans  and  various  roots,  and  also 
great  yellow  pumpkins,  besides  gourds  and  calabashes  of 
huge  size,  much  used,  when  ripened  and  dried,  for  stor- 
age receptacles.  There  were  fruit  trees  of  various  kinds, 
amongst  them  some  still  bearing  a  soft  round  fruit  sweet 


140  FLORIDA  HISTORIOAIi  TALES. 


as  honey.  Also  grape  vines  as  large  as  those  of  France, 
indeed,  some  far  larger,  which  in  their  season,  bore  fruit 
nearly  as  fine. 

"And  as  we  went  from  garden  to  garden,  and  from 
house  to  liouse,  our  good  Cacique  told  much  of  his  peo- 
ple's history  and  customs,  witli  sucli  grace  of  manner  and 
intelligence  it  amazed  us."  Quoting  D'Erlach  further: 
*'They  were  a  people  of  medium  height,  well  proportioned 
and  very  supple.  Their  complexion  not  so  dark  as  the 
tribes  beyond  the  River  May,  nor  were  they  so  savage  in 
mien  or  speech.  While  tlieir  dialect  was  from  the  same 
language,  it  was  less  harsh  and  almost  musical  in  its  in- 
tonations. It  may  seem  strange,  but  it  is  true,  that  in 
the  speech  of  these  people  there  were  no  words  of  pro- 
fanity or  vulgarity,  such  as  Christian  nations  use.  Tlieir 
features  were  fine  and  regular,  their  foreheads  high, 
their  eyes  lustrous,  their  countenances  full  of  spirit  and 
their  manners  were  so  pleasing— not  to  be  excelled  by 
the  best  gentlemen  of  France — that  it  was  good  to  be  in 
their  company. 

''Their  garments,  although  somewhat  scanty,  set 
forth  tlieir  figures  well,  and  left  them  perfect  freedom  of 
action.  They  wore  a  tunic  about  their  loins,  leggings 
and  moccasins  to  keep  tlieir  feet  and  legs  from  being  torn 
by  thorns  and  brambles ;  mantles,  scarfs  and  cloaks  of 
grass  cloth,  skins  and  sometimes  feathers  nicely  woven 
together;  with  but  little  difference  for  the  sexes.  Some 
winter  robes  of  well-dressed  furs  were  very  beautiful,  as 
well  as  comfortable. 

''But  for  the  most  part,  in  the  summer,  they  used  but 
little  clothing;  it  being  esteemed  no  harm  amongst  them 
to  go  nearly  naked.    Indeed,  it  was  a  marvel  to  see  how 


STORY  OF  THE  HUGUENOTS.  141 


little  sun  or  wind  or  rain  did  effect  their  bodies,  when 
yet  the  stoutest  of  us  would  perisli  if  we  went  in  like 
manner. 

"They  were  fond  of  ornaments,  especially  the  women, 
who  were  graceful  and  easy  in  all  tlieir  motions,  and  al- 
together more  comely  than  was  usual  with  the  other  In- 
dians we  had  met. 

"They  wore  bracelets  and  necklaces  quite  skillfully 
made  of  polished  bits  of  pearly  shell,  small  red  beans  as 
hard  as  ivory,  large  brown  or  black  ones,  found  on  the 
beach,  sometimes  real  pearls;  more  often  polished  alli- 
gator teetli ;  claws  of  bears,  panthers  or  talons  of  birds. 
Besides  these,  though  rarely,  small  ornaments  of  gold 
and  silver,  also  copper,  brought,  they  affirmed,  from  a  far 
country. 

"When  dressed  for  state  occasions  the  chiefs  and 
warriors  wore  head-dresses  of  plumes  that  set  them  ofl 
right  gallantly,  to  which,  in  war  times,  they  added  the 
painting  of  their  bodies  with  dyes  and  pigments  in  a  way 
which  increased  not  their  good  looks. 

"At  gala  times  and  annual  sacred  festivals«,,  tho 
younger  women  and  girls  made  much  use  for  ornaments 
of  wreaths  of  flowers  and  the  feathers  of  brilliant  colored 
birds,  so  that  a  large  concourse,  such  as  gave  us  greeting 
at  this  place,  was  truly  a  pleasant  sight. 

Their  weapons  for  war  or  the  chase  were  chiefly  bows 
and  arrows,  with  whose  use  they  were  exceedingly  ex- 
pert, being  able  to  set  the  arrows  to  the  string  so  fast 
they  could  be  kept  in  constant  flight,  wonderfully  true  to 
the  mark.  Some  of  their  best  archers  could  set  an  arrow 
in  a  tree,  and  split  its  shaft  with  another  at  twenty  paces, 
or  strike  a  bird  in  flying,  but  not  having  iron  to  tip  them 


142  FLORIDA  HISTORICAL  TALES. 

with,  it  required  no  heavy  armor  to  keep  them  out. 
Spears,  also,  they  used,  which  they  sometimes  cafet  like 
darts. 

"Macanas,  or  war  clubs,  made  of  hard  wood,  well 
carved— some  like  maces  with  spikes  of  sharpened  fish 
bones  or  flint,  the  latter  rare,  being  like  their  metal» 
brought  from  a  distant  section — and  others  with  sharp 
edges  like  swords,  which,  in  close  battle,  they  use  to 
cleave  their  enemies,  as  if  made  of  steel. 

* 'There  were  also  battle  axes  made  of  stone  or  shell, 
polislied  so  finely  and  carved  so  true  that  it  was  wonder- 
ful. But  the  two  things  the  Cacique  was  most  proud  of 
were  a  battle  axe  of  steel  and  a  knife,  both  of  Spanish 
make,  which  he  said  his  father  had  procured  many  years 
before  from  one  of  Ponce  de  Leon's  soldiers  when  that 
Spaniard  came  into  the  bay  at  the  inlet  to  the  southward* 

"They  had  no  idols  or  temples,  for  their  god  was  a 
^eat  spirit,  whose  dwelling  was  the  universe,  who  was 
always  near  them,  although  invisible;  to  whom  they 
prayed  in  times  of  tribulation ;  who  sometimes  answered 
not,  because  of  their  transgressions.  But  there  were,  they 
said,  many  lesser  spirits,  some  good,  some  bad,  whose 
favor  they  sought  in  hunting,  fishing,  love  or  war;  to 
please  whom  they  wore  upon  their  persons  as  amulets  or 
charms,  little  ugly  images  carved  of  wood  or  bone  or 
.sheU. 

''They  were  not  lacking  in  other  arts  needful  to  them. 

''Their  women  were  expert  in  making  pottery  from 
clay  found  along  the  river  sliore — large  jars  to  hold  grain, 
meal  and  seeds,  also  to  cook  in,  and  carry  water  from  the 
wells,  and  smaller  ones  to  hold  their  paints  and  drink 
Caseena  from.    (This  Caseena  is  a  beverage  made  from 


STORY  OF  THE  HUGUENOTS.  143 

the  leaves  of  a  certain  tree,  of  which  they  were  fond,  es- 
teeming it  to  give  them  strength.) 

"They  built  large  and  pleasant  houses  with  rooms 
for  many  families,  in  which  they  lived  without  strife  and 
bickering,  for  these  people  held  everything  in  common ; 
so  that  all  fared  alike  and  there  were  none  poor  or  rich 
among  them. 

"These  were  built  of  strong  posts  set  in  the  ground, 
with  matting  over  the  openings,  which  could  be  raised  or 
lowered,  as  the  weather  should  be  cold  or  hot.  The  roofs 
were  thatched  with  i)alm  leaves,  and  open  in  the  center 
so  that  fires  could  be  built  in  them  and  the  smoke  es- 
cape. Some  had  upper  floors  made  of  hurdles  packed 
with  clay  and  divided  into  rooms  opening  on  the  central 
court.  All  were  kept  neat  and  clean.  There  were  no 
fastenings  on  the  doors,  for  robbers  and  thieves  were  un- 
known amouff  them." 


144  FLORIDA  HISTORICAL  TALES. 


CHAPTER  XXII. 

TORONITA,   THE     LAND    OF    SUNSHINE    AND  GOOD   WILL. 

*'In  these  houses  there  was  but  little  furniture,  for  so 
fine  and  genial  is  the  climate  of  this  land,  its  inhabitants 
are  almost  constantly  in  the  open  air,  which  makes  them 
healthy  and  hardy  so  that  but  little  medicine  is  needed 
by  them.  They  had  couches  or  settees  made  of  wicker 
work  covered  with  mattings  of  grass  or  plaited  palmetto 
leaves ;  also  hammocks  swung  from  post  to  post  for  sleep- 
ing; but  oft€n  spread  mattings  on  the  floors  when  crowd- 
ed with  guests,  whereon  they  slept  as  soundly  as  could  be 
wished. 

"They  had  a  great  arsenal,  or  house,  wherein  they 
kept  many  weapons  of  war  and  the  chase,  also  trophies 
or  rare  things  which  they  did  not  need  for  common  use; 
storehouses  well  filled  with  provisions  and  the  seed  grain 
for  future  plantings.  All  these  things  and  many  more, 
whereof  a  skillful  clerk  might  make  a  great  book,  did  the 
Cacique  show  to  us  during  the  time  we  tarried  with 
him." 

*'The  land  over  which  Ostinola  ruled  as  chosen  Caci- 
que, because  of  his  skill  and  wisdom,  ^xas  not  large,  but 
had  many  little  towns  and  villages  in  it.  It  extended 
from  the  headwaters  of  the  creeks  to  the  northward  of 
the  Huguenot  camp,  and  to  the  inlet  at  the  south,  in- 
cluding both  shores  of  the  broad  river.  The  province  was 
called  Toronita,  the  Land  of  Sunshine,  and  many  parts 
of  it  were  very  fertile,  while  others  were  but  great  salt 


STORY  OF  THE   HUGUENOTS.  145 

marshes,  or  heaps  and  ridges  of  sand  covered  with  forest 
growth,  or  great  stretches  of  pine  woods  in  which  roamed 
many  deer  and  other  wild  animals. 

''Altogether,  it  was  a  land  well  fit  for  men  to  live  in ; 
for  while  the  forests  were  full  of  game  of  various  kinds, 
the  waters  abounded  with  fish,  in  the  catching  of  which 
these  people  were  very  skillful. 

"Pure  also  was  the  air  and  sweet  always  as  the 
breath  of  spring,  with  the  odors  of  fragrant  trees  and 
shrubs  and  flowers.  Although  sometimes  frosts  came 
and  chilly  days  in  winter,  never  fell  snow  upon  its  ever 
green  robes." 

There  were  many  months  of  summer,  and  the  winter 
scarcely  to  be  distinguished  from  it.  Like  their  climate 
these  people  were  joyous  and  even  tempered,  not  prone 
to  deeds  of  violent  action,  save  when  hard  pressed  by  ab- 
solute necessity.  There  was  so  little  occasion  for  pro- 
longed toil  and  industry  to  supply  their  simple  needs, 
that  they  had  much  time  for  pleasure,  and  nothing  suited 
them  better  than  to  gather  in  their  villages  at  stated 
times  for  festivals  and  dances,  commemorative  of  the  sea- 
sons or  of  events  in  their  tribal  history. 

At  such  times  also,  the  older  men  would  recite  the 
traditions  of  the  past;  or  teach  their  primitive  philosophy. 
Chanting  and  singing,  somewhat  after  the  Provencal 
fashion,  by  their  poets,  men  or  women,  as  the  case  might 
be,  and  music  of  the  flute  and  drum,  added  much  to  their 
enjoyment. 

But  there  were  time  =5,  when  peril  and  danger  called 
them  to  show  the  stronger  side  of  their  natures.  Times 
that  tested  their  courage  and  fidelity,  in  which  they  failed 
not  to  show  the  metal  in  them  right  bravely. 


146  FLORIDA  HISTORICAL  TALES. 

Let  but  the  war  drum  beat  the  call  to  battle,  and 
from  every  forest  path  would  glide  the  dusky  warriors  to 
rally  around  their  chief,  and  at  his  bidding  do  or  die  for 
land  and  people.  Death,  in  the  cause  of  right,  had  no 
terrors  and  wounds  scarcely  any  pain. 

There  were  no  written  laws  by  which  the  people  were 
governed.  But  there  was  a  guild  of  men  among  them, 
who,  by  age  and  good  service  to  the  nation,  were  entitled 
to  be  the  repositories  of  the  mystic  rites,  ceremonies,  tra- 
ditions and  precepts,  handed  down  fmm  generation  to 
generation,  whose  counsel  was  sought  both  in  times  of 
peace  and  war,  and  from  them  D'Erlach  learned  much  of 
the  moral  code  which  guided  this  people.  This  was  as 
simple  as  they  were  themselves.  "Thou  shalt  not  lie  or 
steal  or  murder;  be  a  corrupter  of  women,  a  traitor  or  a 
coward."  These  were  the  chief  things  forbidden.  To 
deal  with  each  other  justly  as  brethren,  was  their  golden 
rule. 

To  some  indeed,  much  of  what  is  written  here  may 
seem  untrue,  yet  there  is  not  a  point  that  has  not  been 
endorsed  by  the  few  true  and  noble  minded  men  of  that 
time,  who  came  in  contact  with  the  aborigines,  such  as 
Columbus,  Las  Casas,  Peter  Martyr,  Herrera,  the  Inca 
Garcilaso  de  la  Vega,  Laudonniere  and  others  who  have 
left  on  record  their  true  testimony. 

The  first  says,  writing  to  his  sovereigns,  Ferdinand 
and  Isabella,  of  a  kindred  race  not  far  to  the  southward : 

''These  people  love  their  neighbors  as  themselves. 
Their  discourse  is  ever  sweet  and  gentle,  accompanied  by 
a  smile.  I  swear  to  your  majesties,  there  is  not  in  the 
world  a  better  nation  or  a  better  land." 

Would  Las  Casas  have  been  moved  by  pity  to  plead 


STORY  OF  THE  HUGUENOTS.  147 

SO  nobly  and  pathetically  as  he  did,  for  mere  cruel  bar- 
barous savages?  Or  Peter  Martyr  left,  signed  and  sealed 
for  future  ages,  these  declarations: 

''It  is  certain  that  the  land  among  these  people  is  as 
common  as  the  sun  and  water;  and  that 'mine  and  thine,' 
the  seeds  of  all  mischief,  have  no  place  with  them !  They 
are  content  with  so  little,  that  in  so  large  a  country  they 
have  superfluity  rather  tlian  scarceness ;  so  that  thej''  seem 
to  live  in  a  golden  world  without  toil,  in  open  gardens, 
neither  intrenched  or  shut  up  by  walls  or  hedges.  They 
deal  truly  with  one  another,  without  laws  or  books  or 
judges!" 

And  so,  too,  the  son  of  the  Incas  in  his  living  pages 
bears  witness  to  the  native,  natural  graces  of  the  aborig- 
inal inhabitants,  whose  feet  no  longer  trace  paths  from 
one  communal  village  to  another,  in  the  lands  that  gave 
them  birth. 

And  the  monster  of  destruction,  whose  insatiate  maw 
consumed  them  all,  proudly  boasted  the  name  of  Chris- 
tian civilization  (?).  Greedy  of  gold  and  power,  the  real 
gods  it  worshipped  then  as  now,  it  exalted  the  cross,  and 
to  save  souls  in  Heaven  made  a  hell  on  earth  more  terrible 
and  horrible  than  ever  Dante  described  or  Dore  pictured. 

Trampling  under  foot  every  precept  of  justice  and 
humanity,  it  turned  fiends  loose  upon  this  once  Arcadian 
land,  to  blacken  with  deeds  of  shame  and  dishonor  the 
records  of  human  history  for  all  time  to  come.  Nay,  the 
bloody  work  of  sword  and  arquebus  and  lash,  cutting  the 
quivering  flesh  to  the  bone,  the  hecatombs  of  millions 
slaughtered  without  stint  or  mercy,  are  not  all  the  worst. 
The  enforced  degradation  of  the  descendants  of  these 
people  almost  to  the  level  of  the  brutes,  by  inoculating 


148  FLORIDA   HISTORICAL  TALES. 

them  with  the  vices  of  inhuman  civilization,  is  a  greater 
crime  against  both  God  and  man.  And  then  not  content 
with  filling  the  measure  of  cruel  deeds,  this  same  civili- 
zation, as  cruel  and  remorseless  now  in  its  silks  and 
broadcloths  as  in  those  days  of  blood-stained  armor, 
pomts  its  finger  in  scorn  at  the  shattered  skulking  rem- 
nants of  the  ruined  race,  and  says:  "Let  them  die,  for 
they  are  beasts,  not  men!" 


STORY  OF  THE  HUGUENOTS.  149 


CHAPTER  XXIII. 

THE  ARRIVAL  OP  THE   MAIN   BODY  OF  THE   HUGUENOTS 
AND   WHAT   FOLLOWED. 

Towards  evening  a  column  of  smoke  rose  from  the 
central  ridge  of  the  peninsula  across  the  river  which  was 
a  signal  that  the  main  body  of  the  Huguenots  had 
reached  the  vicinity.  Meantime  there  had  also  quietly 
gathered  many  more  people  in  the  town,  some  by  water 
in  canoes,  and  others  by  paths  through  the  forests,  until 
it  seemed  as  if  all  of  the  inhabitants  of  the  province  had 
gathered  to  do  honor  to  their  guests.  Canoes  were  sent 
over  to  the  other  side  and  soon  there  was  another  water 
pageant  presented,  by  the  transportation  of  the  little 
army  and  all  the  dwellers  in  the  village  on  the  eastern 
shore,  across  the  river.  It  was  a  gay  and  pleasant  sight 
as  the  fleet  of  canoes  came  breasting  the  rays  of  the  set- 
ting sun,  making  a  picture  in  the  brilliant  reflections 
from  polished  arms  and  armor — with  the  two  banners  yet 
left  to  the  Huguenots,  the  flag  of  Rotrou's  ship,  the 
Dolphin,  and  the  banner  of  D'Erlach — which  would  have 
delighted  the  soul  of  Jacques  LeMoyne  de  Morgues  had 
he  been  there  to  paint  it. 

There  was  another  reception  not  less  pleasing  and 
fraternal  than  the  flrst,  after  which  quarters  in  two  of 
the  largest  buildings  of  the  town  were  given  to  the 
Frenchmen,  who  were  liberally  supplied  with  all  they 
needed,  the  leaders  being  entertained  by  the  chief  him- 
self, who  spared  no  pains  to  make  them  welcome. 


160  FliOBIDA  HISTORICAL  TALES. 

"This  night,"  said  Ostinola,  "shall  be  given  up  to 
peace  and  pleasure.  You  are  all  my  guests  and  shall 
share  the  best  we  have.  Tomorrow,  if  it  pleases 
you,  we  will  meet  in  council,  and  whatsoever  you  decide 
it  shall  be  done.  See!  Here  comes  my  best  hunters, 
and  the  Great  Spirit  has  deigned  to  smile  upon  them!" 

There  came  a  party,  some  carrying  between  them  a 
great  bear,  the  arrows  wherewith  it  had  been  slain  still 
sticking  in  it;  others  carrying  deer,  wild  turkey,  other 
game  and  fish,  so  plentiful  indeed,  that  with  the  stores 
at  hand  there  was  no  dearth  with  any.  Never  were  the 
Frenchmen  better  regaled,  and  though  the  remembrance 
of  their  misfortunes  was  still  fresh  upon  them,  the  kind- 
ness and  good  will  siiown  by  Ostinola  and  his  people 
cheered  their  very  hearts 

That  night  the  central  square  was  lighted  with  torches, 
and  after  the  Indians,  under  the  leadership  of  their 
chiefs,  had  made  a  display  of  their  national  ceremonies, 
illustrating  their  skill  in  war  and  hunting;  engaged  in 
weird  but  pleasing  mystic  rites,  whereby  they  signified 
the  completion  of  the  bond  of  brotherhood  between  them ; 
the  Frenchmen  in  their  turn,  with  the  trumpeters,  Le 
Bearnois  and  Luigo,  also  some  mandolin  players,  who 
had  kept  their  instruments  through  all  their  difficulties, 
to  make  music  for  them — undertook  to  teach  the 
French  way  of  dancing  and  merry-making  to  their  red 
friends,  whereat  they  all  enjoyed  themselves  right  roy- 
ally. 

It  was  not  difficult  indeed  with  pupils  so  full  of  grace 
and  suppleness  naturally  as  the  forest  maidens  were,  to 
teach  them  how  to  d©  their  parts  as  well  or  even  better 
than  their  white  sisters  might  have  done.   Nay,  for  many 


STORY   OP   THE   HUGUENOTS.  161 

years  thereafter,  there  were  Bome,  who,  over  their  tank- 
ards under  the  vme-clad  arbors  of  their  native  land,  told 
how  the  young  brother  of  their  leader,  with  the  Princess 
Issena,  led  a  dance  the  like  of  which  for  grace  and 
beauty  was  never  seen  at  the  King's  court. 

So  well  fared  the  whole  band  of  Huguenots,  that  they 
besought  their  leaders  to  let  them  tarry  awhile  in  Toro" 
nita  and  rest  themselves,  and  seeing  that  they  had  much 
need  of  it  to  brace  them  for  the  hardships  yet  to  come, 
D'Erlach  presented  their  petition  to  Ostinola,  who  was 
as  greatly  pleased  to  grant  it  as  they  had  desire  for  it. 
So  when  the  festival  ended  at  a  late  hour,  the  trumpeters 
called  attention  and  a  proclamation  was  made,  that  on 
the  morrow,  which  was  the  last  day  of  the  week,  they  all 
should  have  perfect  freedom  so  that  they  stayed  within 
bugle  call,  while  a  council  would  be  held  with  their  new 
friends  and  allies  to  settle  on  the  future  plan  or  action. 
Caution  was  also  given  that  they  were  in  no  wise  to  do 
aught  by  word  or  deed  that  might  offend,  for  such  as  did 
so  far  forget  their  duty  and  honor,  as  to  forfeit  the  good 
will  of  their  hosts,  should  be  severely  punished ;  which 
warning  proved  to  be  needless. 

At  the  council  were  present,  besides  the  leaders  of 
the  Huguenots,  Ostinola,  Itahoma  and  a  number  of  other 
chiefs  and  head  men,  renowned  for  valor  and  discretion ; 
to  whom  D'Erlach  concisely  recounted  their  condition 
and  all  the  events  preceding.  While  he  spoke  there 
was  grave  silence  amongst  them  all,  though  many 
glances  of  intelligence  passed  between  them,  show- 
ing that  the  main  facts  were  already  known  to 
them.  Especially  was  this  the  case  when  he  told  of  the 
cruel,  treacherous  character  of  the  Spaniards  and  their 


152  FLORIDA  HISTORICAL  TALES. 

atrocious  deeds.  ''As  for  himslf  and  his  followers  there 
was  no  choice  but  to  face  their  foes  sword  in  hand  and 
give  them  battle,  trusting  in  the  God  of  right  and  justice 
for  victory  and  deliverance." 

"I  doubt  not  my  friends,  that  it  will  not  be  long  ere 
the  Spaniard  seeks  to  set  his  iron  iieel  upon  you,  as  he 
did  upon  my  dead  brethren,  who  had  harmed  him  not. 
We  came  as  friends  across  the  great  waters  and  landing 
first  upon  your  shores  sought  but  to  make  for  ourselves  a 
peaceful  home.  The  Spaniards  came,  not  only  to  de- 
stroy us,  but  to  take  from  you  your  lands  and  liberties,  as 
they  have  done  wherever  their  feet  have  trodden.  Will 
you  permit  it?  Will  you  turn  your  friends  away  and 
folding  your  hands  let  these  robbers  and  murderers  work 
their  will?  I  trow  not!  Though  they  have  many  great 
ships  that  sail  the  seas  and  pour  forth  thunder  from  their 
sides,  and  they  are  clad  in  armor  that  will  turn  or  break 
many  an  arrow  shaft.  The  odds  may  be  great  against 
you,  and  were  there  any  safe  course  for  you  to  avoid  con- 
flict with  them,  I  would  say  take  it  and  let  us  go,  but 
there  is  not." 

Then  uprose  the  oldest  man  among  them  and  clearly 
recited  the  tales  of  former  Spanish  invasion  and  how  de- 
spite their  armor,  their  cannon,  their  arquebuses  and 
swords  of  keen  shining  metal,  they  had  at  last  left  but 
their  bones  to  whiten  the  land  they  came  to  conquer. 

Lastly,  Ostinola  addressed  them,  showing  that  wis- 
dom and  judgment,  which  made  him  see  the  peril  for  the 
future  for  which  he  was  renowned,  but  displaying  tlie 
fearless  courage  of  the  hero  ready  to  face  all  dangers. 

The  conclusion  arrived  at  was  that  D'Erlacii  and 
such  of  hli  men  as  chose,  should  stay  with  them  to  help 


STORY   OF  THE   HUGUENOTS.  163 

drive  back  the  Spaniards  if  they  came^  while  the  rest 
should  be  assisted  on  their  return  to  the  wrecks,  for 
which  purpose  a  fleet  of  canoes  should  be  detailed, 
chiefly  to  carry  provisions  to  supply  them  while  they 
worked  to  build  or  repair  a  vessel,  and  returning  bring 
back  arms  and  material  useful  to  n  pel  the  expected  in- 
vasioo,  which  was  not  long  in  coming. 


164  FLORIDA   HISTORICAL  TALES. 


CHAPTER  XXIV. 

HOW    CACIQUE     OSTINOLA     ENTERTAINED     THE    HUQUE- 
NOTS— THE   BATTLE  OF   MATANZAS. 

It  was  no  small  task  which  the  Cacique  took  upon 
himself  to  entertain  his  guests,  but  it  was  one  in  which 
all  the  people  gladly  joined. 

To  old  and  young  alike,  it  seemed  a  festal  occasion 
and  there  was  naught  which  they  could  do  to  give  the 
Huguenots  rest,  refreshment  and  pleasure,  that  they  did 
not. 

There  were  boating  and  fishing  parties  upon  the 
water ;  some  went  with  the  hunters  and  scoured  the  ad- 
jacent forests;  others  mended  their  garments  or  washed 
them,  polished  their  weapons  and  such  armor  as  they 
wore ;  and  even  those  who  were  sick  or  wearied  with 
their  hardsliips,  under  the  gentle  ministration  tendered 
with  open  hands  and  warm  hearts,  rapidly  recovered 
their  spirits. 

Of  all  the  people  who  have  landed  in  the  past  times 
on  American  shores,  the  French,  whether  Protestant  or 
Catholic,  stand  first  in  humane  treatment  of  the  aborigi- 
nes and  in  the  readiness  with  which  they  fraternized 
with  them.  This  is  true  of  them,  whether  tracking  the 
snows  of  the  North  or  striving  to  plant  their  colonies  in 
the  sunny  Southland. 

Sunday,  while  not  rigidly  kept  by  all  the  Huguenots 
as  a  day  of  worship,  had  its  simple  yet  impressive  ser- 
vices, to  witness  and  participate  in  which,  all  the  army 


STORY  OF  THE   HUGUENOTS.  166 

and  the  people  gathered  in  the  shade  of 'the  great  live 
oaks,  under  one  of  which  was  erected  a  stand  for  their 
preacher — the  same  who  led  the  thanksgiving  at  Le  Camp 
Renconte  Felice — Andreas  Le  Roche.  His  text  was 
David's  prayer  that  God  would  revenge  him  on  his  foes. 
The  Indians,  although  they  comprehended  but  little,  be- 
haved in  a  most  exemplary  manner,  believing  rightly 
that  it  was  a  sacred  ceremony  of  their  white  friends. 

Four  days  the  little  army  tarried  in  Toronita  and 
then  a  fleet  of  canoes  having  been  gathered  for  the  pur- 
pose, with  Indian  oarsmen  under  Itahoma,  the  main 
body  in  charge  of  Rotrou,  embarked  to  proceed  as  far  as 
they  could  by  water  on  the  return  to  Canaveral;  D'Er- 
lach  remaining  with  thirty  men  to  watch  the  Spanish 
advance  and  aid  Ostinola  to  prepare  against  aggression. 

Ten  days  after,  Itahoma  returned  with  such  military 
and  other  supplies  as  were  needed,  especially  of  cloth- 
ing; the  Indians  at  Canaveral  in  whose  charge  every- 
thing had  been  left,  having  carefully  and  faithfully  dis- 
charged their  trust.  There  were  a  number  of  pikes  and 
battleaxes  given  to  Ostinola  with  which  to  arm  a  portion 
of  his  warriors. 

On  the  10th  of  November,  a  courier  from  the  north- 
ern settlement  came  in,  with  the  report  that  fifty  armed 
Spaniards  had  landed  at  Matanzas  and  were  engaged  in 
building  a  stockade  fort,  from  wliich  annoying  scouting 
parlies  would  doubtless  be  sent  torth. 

To  prevent  this,  D'Erlach  with  his  men  and  Ostinola 
with  two  hundred  Indians,  immediatiBly  departed  for 
the  head  of  the  river  by  canoe,  the  water  way  enabling 
them  to  get  within  a  short  distance  of  the  enemy. 

That  night,  they  camped  in  a  hammock  less  than  a 


156  FLORIDA   HISTORIOAL.  TALES. 

league  from  Mat&nzas  and  sent  out  scouts  to  ascertain 
and  report  concerning  the  Spaniards. 

They  confirmed  the  statements  of  the  courier,  and  so 
at  dawn  the  little  army  of  allies  moved  upon  the  enemy. 
The  Spanish  sentinels  were  alert,  and  as  the  Frenchmen 
in  the  van  emerged  into  the  open  space  cleared  for  the 
stockade,  fired  their  arquebuses  and  fell  back  to  the  camp. 
Le  Bearnois'  bugle  blew  the  charge.  Fierce  war  cries 
echoed  far  and  wide.  A  flight  of  arrows  filled  the  air, 
falling  like  stinging  hail  upon  the  Spaniards,  followed 
by  a  volley  from  the  French  arquebuses.  ''Drop  your  ar- 
quebuses, my  men,  and  charge  these  murderers  of  your 
comrades  with  pike  and  halberd !  To  close  quarters  and 
strike  home!"  commanded  D'Erlach,  himself  leading 
the  way. 

Confused  somewhat,  as  they  were,  by  the  sudden  at- 
tack, the  Spaniards  yet  rallied  manfully  to  the  defense; 
and  in  a  moment  the  little  gi'ove  of  trees  in  which  they 
had  encamped,  bordering  the  Matanzas,  rang  with  scat- 
tering shots  of  arquebuses,  the  clash  of  steel  on  steel, 
and  the  war  cries  of  the  combatants. 

Unused  to  firearms,  and  little  used  to  hand-to-hand 
fighting,  it  required  all  of  Ostinola's  influence  to  keep 
his  followers  from  flight,  but,  armed  with  only  a  buckler 
for  armor,  he  threw  himself  into  the  hottest  of  the  fray 
as  gallantlj"  as  D'Erlach  himself,  and  so  shouting  their 
wild  war  cries,  they  from  emulation  kept  pace  with  him, 
although  never  in  all  their  lives  had  they  faced  such  ter- 
rible foes. 

Compelled  to  desert  the  camp  itself  by  the  fierce  on- 
slaught of  their  foes,  tlie  Spaniards,  commanded  by  Fer- 
nan  Perez,  fell  back  to  the  landing  behind  piles  of  tim- 


STORY  OP  THE   HUGUENOTS.  167 

ber  accumulated  for  the  stockade  and  there  made  a  stub- 
born defense.  Side  by  side  with  D'Erlach  was  Uhlrich» 
and  in  the  close  contest  more  than  once,  his  halberd 
turned  aside  the  spear  point  thrust  at  his  leader,  to  be 
requited  in  turn  by  the  dexterous  sword  play  of  the 
Chevalier. 

To  both,  it  seemed  this  day,  as  if  danger  and  des- 
perate peril  of  death  were  joy,  for  they  were  now  meet- 
ing their  deadly  enemies  on  equal  terms,  and  were  de- 
termined on  revenge  for  La  Caroline  and  Ribault's 
slaughter. 

In  one  of  the  passage  ways  between  the  piles  of 
timber,  these  two  met  Perez  and  a  stalwart  Biscayan, 
whom  Uhlrich  recognized  as  the  one  whose  dagger  blow 
had  been  so  nearly  fatal  to  him. 

.  ''Deal  thou  with  Fernan  Perez,  Chevalier!"  said 
Uhlrich.  "Here's  at  thee,  thou  dog  of  an  assassin,  Diego 
Diaz!"  For  he  was  one  of  the ''Matadors"  whose  hands 
were  so  lately  red  with  the  blood  of  Ribault  and  his  com- 
rades. Throwing  aside  their  pikes  as  too  clumsy  for  such 
close  quarters,  Uhlrich  and  Diaz  closed  with  one  another 
so  fiercely  that  it  was  a  wonder  both  were  not  disabled 
at  the  first  charge. 

Meantime  D'Erlach  and  Perez  also  came  within 
sword  reach  of  each  other.  All  four  were  skillful  swords- 
men. Sometimes  above  their  heads  flashed  the  glitter- 
ing steel  in  air,  meeting  and  clashing  together,  or  glanc- 
ing off  buckler  and  steel  cap,  or  deadly  thrust  met  coun- 
ter guard. 

The  Spaniard's  sword  was  heaviest,  but  the  French 
man  more  than  made  up  the  difference  in  weight  of  metal 
by  the  superb  skill  with  which  he  handled  his  weapon. 


158  FLORIDA   HISTORICAL  TALES. 

In  the  very  midst  of  the  fight,  five  of  six  of  the  Span- 
iards ran  to  the  landing,  where  was  a  culverin  intended 
for  the  stockade  when  it  should  be  completed,  and  hast- 
ened to  load  it  and  train  it  upon  this  very  gap,  now  the 
center  of  attack. 

''Bid  Ostinola's  archers  send  their  heaviest  volleys  of 
arrows  on  the  culverin  party!"  shouted  D'Erlach  to  one 
of  his  men,  standing  on  the  defensive  for  a  moment. 

This  emboldened  Perez,  who,  making  a  tremendous 
assault  with  his  sword  point  which  D'Erlach  caught 
upon  his  buckler,  left  his  side  exposed  and  in  a  moment 
was  transfixed  by  his  opponent's  blade ;  over  his  body  fell 
that  of  Diaz,  and  as  the  two  went  down,  there  arose  cries 
from  the  Spaniards  to  retreat  to  the  boats. 

The  Spaniards  now  were  desperately  pressed.  They 
realized  the  day  was  lost  and  all  that  could  be  done  was 
to  save  themselves  as  best  they  might.  Sullenly,  those 
left  of  them  unhurt,  formed  a  rear  guard  to  hold  their  as- 
sailants in  check,  while  the  wounded  got  aboard  the 
boats;  then  they  pulled  out  into  the  stream  followed  by 
arrows,  bullets,  and  loud  shouts  of  triumph  from  ttie  vic- 
tors. Eight  of  their  number,  including  their  lesder,  were 
killed  outright,  four  were  left  as  prisoners,  and  many  of 
those  who  had  escaped  on  the  boats  were  more  or  less  se- 
verely wounded. 

On  the  other  hand  not  one  of  the  Frenchmen  had 
been  killed,  although  several  were  wounded,  but  none 
seriously.  The  Indians  had  suffered  more  severely,  los- 
ing several  killed  and  more  wounded,  their  mishaps 
coming  chiefly  from  their  lack  of  skill  and  knowledge  and 
reckless  courage,  after  they  were  once  aroused  to  battle. 


STORY  OF  THE  HUGUENOTS.  169 


CHAPTER  XXV. 

THE    ALLIES    GAIN    A    VICTORY— THE    BURIAL    OF    THE 
WARRIORS. 

It  was  with  grim  satisfaction  that  the  Huguenots,  at 
last  the  victors  in  a  fair  combat  with  their  enemies,  pro- 
ceeded to  gather  up  the  provisions,  material  and  muni- 
tions left  behind  by  the  flying  Spaniards,  first  caring  for 
their  wounded  as  well  as  their  appliances  permitted  and 
then  burying  the  dead  Spaniards;  after  which  they 
threw  the  culverin  into  the  river  and  fired  the  piles  of 
stockade  timber,  enough  of  which  was  reserved  to  lash 
into  a  raft  that  would  serve  to  carry  the  four  prisoners 
across  the  strait;  for  on  investigation  it  was  found  they 
were  not  implicated,  directly  or  indirectly,  in  the  late 
massacres,  being  arrivals  on  one  of  Melendez'  belated 
vessels;  so  after  taking  their  parole  on  oath,  they  were 
sent  across  to  Anastasia  Island,  to  find  their  way  to  St. 
Augustine  as  best  they  could. 

Some  of  the  Huguenots  were  indignant  at  their  re- 
lease, claiming  that  no  Spaniard  should  have  mercy 
shown  them  for  they  gave  none.  But  the  word  of  their 
commander  sufficed  to  bring  them  to  the  side  of  clem- 
ency, and  so  the  prisoners  were  released,  with  a  message 
to  Melendez,  forbidding  any  further  invasions  into  the 
territory  of  Ostinola.  ''For,"  said  D'Erlach  to  them, 
"should  your  treacherous  master  send  any  more  of  his 
assassins  and  robbers  into  this  country,  by  the  help  of 
God  and  my  good  sword,  they  shall  be  even  as  these 


160  FLORIDA   HISTORICAL  TALES. 

eight  are  whom  you  leave  behind.  Go  now!  And  thank 
God  that  you  fell  into  the  hands  of  men,  whom  you  call 
heretics,  but  who  are  not  such  barbarians  as  the  Span- 
iards." 

Thus  mercifully  dealt  this  leader  of  the  Huguenots 
with  his  disarmed,  defenseless  enemies,  in  sight  of  the 
very  spot  where  Melendez  and  his  men  had  basely  and 
cruelly  slaughtered  his  comrades.  Not  from  motives  of 
policy  or  with  any  hope  of  modifying  the  relentless,  cruel 
disposition  of  the  Adelantado ;  not  even  from  the  desire 
to  show  that  Frenchmen  were  more  noble-hearted  than 
the  Spaniards,  but  for  humanity's  sake. 

Whatever  was  the  true  reason ;  race,  religion,  or  the 
better  appreciation  of  the  fundamental  principles  of  hu- 
manity, which  the  French  have  more  commonly  shown 
than  their  neighbors;  inured  as  he  was,  with  all  men  of 
that  age,  to  scenes  of  carnage  and  battle;  ready  at  what 
he  deemed  to  be  the  call  of  duty  or  honor,  to  throw  him- 
self into  the  thickest  of  the  fray  at  a  moment's  notice, 
D'Erlach  was  equally  ready  after  the  conflict  was  over 
to  respond  to  the  voice  of  mercy. 

Having  disposed  of  the  Spaniards,  dead  and  living, 
there  occurred  another  event  whicli  may  be  of  sufficient 
interest  to  describe. 

THE   BURIAL  OF  THE   WARRIORS. 

Three  of  the  Indians  had  been  killed  in  the  attack ;  a 
fourth  was  mortally  wounded  and  in  a  few  hours  died 
surrounded  by  his  companions,  clianting  until  his  lips 
stitfened  and  could  no  more  give  utterance  to  the  words, 
the  immemorial  death  song  of  the  aborigines. 

Then  the  chief  took  the  warrior's  bow,  snapped  the 
bow  string  and  placed  it  upon  his  breast,  folding  his  arms 


STORY   OF   THE   HUGUENOTS.  161 

over  it  as  had  been  done  with  the  others.  Biers  were 
made  of  crossed  spears  and  the  bodies  were  carried  a  lit- 
tle way  southward  along  the  river  to  a  high  knoll,  over- 
looking its  basin,  whose  summit  was  first  cleaned  of 
grass  and  shrubs,  then  leveled  and  covered  with  a  layer 
of  moss  and  leaves,  upon  which  the  four  bodies  were  ar- 
ranged with  their  heads  to  the  center,  marked  by  a  co- 
quina  stone. 

Then  led  by  the  Cacique  himself,  the  whole  band 
marched  and  counter-marched  around  the  place  of 
burial,  to  tiie  measured  cadence  of  a  funeral  chant,  timed 
by  war  drums;  but  not  so  loud  as  to  drown  the  wail  of 
human  voices,  mingling  with  the  solemn  sound  of  the 
not  distant  surf ;  a  most  fitting  and  impressive  accom- 
paniment to  these  last  services,  bestowed  u^jon  the  dead 
by  their  living  comrades.  This  finished,  Ostinola  step- 
ped inside  the  circle,  and  like  one  calling  the  roll  of  a 
company,  spoke  the  four  dead  men's  names,  pausing  each 
time  as  if  for  answer,  then  he  said : 

''Behold,  my  brethren,  these  men  answer  not  the  call 
of  their  chieftain !  The  day  is  far  spent,  yet  they  sleep. 
I  cannot  arouse  them  by  speaking  their  names." 

"Listen!  I  will  call  them  to  the  chase!  Join  me  in 
the  hunters'  cry!"  Then  the  air  resounded  with  such 
cries  as  the  Indians  are  wont  to  make  when  they  have 
brought  the  game  to  bay  and  send  upon  it  a  shower  of 
arrows. 

"They  stir  not!  They  answer  not!  Deep  is  the  spell 
of  the  sleep  god  upon  them.  Once  more  will  I  strive 
to  awaken  them.  If  there  be  any  spirit  in  them  they 
will  arise — Men  of  Toronita,  let  the  war  drums  sound ! 
Give  voice  to  the  war  cry!    The  foe  is  here!" 


1(52  FLORIDA   HISTORICAL,  TALBS. 

So  said,  BO  done !  Out  over  the  sand  dunes  and  val- 
leys rang  the  combined  sounds,  making  the  leaves 
tremble ;  startling  the  eagles  and  ospreys  overhead ;  dy- 
ing in  faint  echoes  against  the  fronts  of  the  far  ham- 
mocks and  when  silence  came,  again  Ostinola  spoke. 

''These  were  good  men  and  true.  Never  before  have 
they  failed  to  answer  the  summons  to  the  chase  or  bat- 
tle. It  is  because  they  cannot.  Not  sloth,  nor  sleep,  nor 
fear  hold  them  back.  Their  quivers  are  empty,  their 
bow  strings  are  broken.  Their  spirits  are  in  that  land 
from  whence  none  ever  return,  save  in  dreams  and  vis- 
ions. They  have  died  in  battling  bravely  to  drive  back 
the  enemy  from  their  native  land.  They  have  won  rest 
and  happiness  in  the  land  of  spirits.  Peace  be  with 
them  evermore." 

Then  a  covering  of  moss  and  leaves  was  placed  over 
the  dead  warriors.  Earth  and  shell  heaped  upon  them, 
to  this  day  marking  their  burial  place  with  grass  and 
flowers,  more  enduring  than  the  marble  shaft  gnawed  by 
the  tooth  of  Time,  overthrown  by  earthquake,  or  shat- 
tered by  lightning. 


STORY  OF  THE  HUGUENOTS. 


CHAPTER  XXVI. 

THE   RETURN— ERNEST    AND    ISSENA— THE   STORY  THAT 
IS  OLD,   BUT   EVER   NEW. 

The  Huguenots  joined  with  the  Indians  in  their  funeral 
rites,  for  already  so  close  was  their  community  of  inter- 
ests and  sympathies,  the  narrow  confines  of  creeds  did 
not  separate  them.  This  they  did,  led  by  their  chaplain, 
Le  Roche,  standing  with  uncovered  heads,  while  he  com- 
mended the  souls  of  the  slain  to  the  keeping  of  the  Al- 
mighty. Then,  laden  with  the  spoils  of  the  Spaniards, 
which  were  not  inconsiderable,  they  retraced  their  steps 
to  the  camp  and  from  thence  on  the  next  day  returned  to 
Ostinola's  town  where  they  were  received  with  great  re- 
joicing, although  there  was  sorrow  for  the  four  brave 
warriors  who  had  lost  their  lives  especially  on  the  part 
of  their  wives  and  children. 

In  accordance-  with  their  custom  on  such  occasions, 
the  women  retired  together  to  a  building  called  the  house 
of  sorrow  and  there  fasted  and  mourned  for  the  dead  three 
days;  after  which  they  resumed  their  usual  duties,  re- 
ceiving many  tokens  of  respect  and  affection  as  widows 
of  distinguished  warriors,  while  their  children  were 
solemnly  adopted  as  wards  of  the  nation. 

In  such  respects,  these  poor  savages,  could  well  teach 
a  lesson  to  the  civilized  nations  which  too  often  utterly 
fail  to  recognize  the  patriotic  sacrifices  made  in  their  de- 
fense, or  if  they  do  in  a  measure  remember  them,  it  is  by 
piling  up  monuments  of  marble  and  giving  to  the  widows 


164  FIX)RIDA   HISTORICAL  TALES. 


and  orphans  the  fragments  chipped  from  the  original 
blocks  instead  of  bread. 

From  the  prisoners  D'Erlach  learned  that  Melendez 
had  nearly  recovered  from  the  results  of  Ottigny's  on- 
slaught upon  him,  and  that  he  was  expecting  the  arrival 
of  several  vessels  with  men,  supplies  and  horses,  for  his 
colony  at  St.  Augustine,  about  the  Christmas  times. 

The  repulse  given  to  the  detachment  led  by  Fernan 
Perez  and  his  death,  would  doubtless  deter  any  further 
attempt  at  finishing  the  destruction  of  the  Huguenots 
until  after  that  date.  He  reasoned  also,  that  when  the 
attack  was  made,  it  would  be  directly  upon  the  post  at 
Canaveral  and  probably  take  the  form  of  a  combined 
naval  and  land  assault.  The  Chevalier  prepared  to  join 
the  main  body  immediately.  At  Ostinola's  request  he 
left  Uhlrich  and  Ernest  with  ten  arquebusiers  and  the 
wounded,  seven  in  number,  at  the  village  to  await 
further  orders.  These,  with  Ostinola's  warriors,  now  im- 
bued with  confidence  by  the  recent  victory,  could  hold 
in  check  at  least,  any  probable  land  expedition  of  the 
Spaniards  until  they  could  be  reinforced.  With  the  rest, 
D'Erlach  embarked  in  the  bateau,  to  which  had  been  af- 
fixed a  mast  with  sail  made  from  one  of  the  captured 
tents,  and  with  a  strong  northeast  wind  sped  rapidly 
southward,  having  an  Indian  pilot  on  board. 

Under  ordinary  circumstances,  Ernest  would  have 
been  very  loth  to  part  with  his  brother,  but  the  circum- 
stances were  not  ordinary.  He  was  a  favorite  guest  of 
the  Cacique;  his  ambition  was  being  gratified  by  being 
placed  in  charge  of  the  little  company,  his  first  military 
command;  and — what  was  doubtless  of  more  weight— a 
strong  attachment  had  sprung  up  in  his  young  heart  for 


STORY   OF  THE   HUGUENOTS.  16& 


the  flower  of  Toronita,  the  Princess  Issena  (so  all  called 
her).  What  was  she?  Only  an  Indian  girl — a  daughter  of 
tlie  sun  and  dew — a  wild  flower  of  the  forest,  a  later  Eve^ 
and  if  the  chronicles  be  true,  as  true  an  one  as  she  of 
Eden. 

It  is  written:  ''There  never  was  a  fawn  in  all  the 
forests  more  light  and  graceful  in  form  and  motion; 
never  a  bird  that  could  sing  a  sweeter  song;  never  a 
flower  in  any  garden  with  a  brighter  face,  and  never  beat 
in  any  bosom  a  truer,  more  faithful  heart.  So  winsom 
in  her  natural  ways  was  she,  that  it  is  no  wonder  our 
lord's  brother"  (this  was  vrritten  after  the  Chevalier  had 
become  the  Seigneiy  D'Erlach,)  "straightway  lost  his 
heart  to  her,  for  indeed  there  was  not  one  amongst  us, 
but  would  have  been  her  willing  slave,  had  she  but 
deigned  to  say  that  it  would  please  her." 

From  the  very  first,  the  day  when  Ostinola  gave  the 
Huguenots  a  royal  welcome,  they  had  felt  drawn  to  each 
other,  yet  neither  knew  why.  With  him  at  first,  it  was 
simply  surprise  and  admiration  at  her  supple  grace  of 
motion,  the  brightness  and  beauty  of  face  and  form,  the 
simple  dignity  of  her  carriage ;  but  as  the  days  went  on, 
there  were  so  many  other  qualities  of  mind  and  nature 
constantly  showing  forth,  that  it  ended  in  his  complete 
surrender. 

He  was  not  learned  in  books ;  for  in  those  days  few 
save  the  clergy  had  much  such  knowledge.  Books  were 
far  scarcer  than  swords  and  armor,  and  the  master  of  the 
camp  more  common  than  the  teacher. 

But  he  could  teach  her  the  language  of  La  France, 
and  as  he  knew  them  all  by  heart  the  chaplain,  when  he 
departed,  loaned  him  the  little  priceless  book  of  hymns 


1616  J-LORIDA  HISTORICAL  TALES. 

and  poems  with  which  he  could  instruct  his  willing 
pupil,  in  the  rudiments  of  letters.  He  also  could  play 
the  mandolin,  and  her  deft  fingers  soon  acquired  the 
master's  skill  to  sweep  its  strings. 

Then  there  was  a  fairy  world  he  could  open  up  to  her 
mind,  in  the  stories  of  his  native  land  that  he  loved  to 
tell  her,  oftentimes  as  much  by  signs  as  words,  as  they 
floated  on  the  river  or  sat  beside  the  lightwood  fire  at 
eventide.  And  there  were  the  marvels  of  land  and  ocean 
he  had  seen,  and  many  other  things  to  which  she  listened 
with  rapt  attention,  as  he  described  them. 

While  she  in  turn  recited  to  him  the  traditions  of 
the  past,  sang  him  the  quaintest  S4)ngs,  and  taught  him 
the  Indian  names  of  flowers  and  birds,  trees  and  plants, 
and  all  other  objects  in  the  little  world  around  them. 
Indeed,  there  were  so  many  things  that  she  could  teach 
him,  that  he  often  felt  abashed  in  her  presence,  because 
of  his  ignorance. 

Life  was  free  to  both.  Whether  by  water  or  by  land 
it  mattered  not  whither  they  went.  Passion  as  yet  had 
not  come  to  rock  tlieir  souls  to  their  centers  as  the  earth- 
quake does  the  earth. 

It  was  the  rosy  dawn  with  them,  when  cool,  sweet 
purity  of  dews  and  morning  zephyrs — the  waking  songs 
of  birds — reigned  supreme.  That  time  in  the  poor  lives 
of  mortals  their  souls  are  nearest  heaven;  ere  yet  the 
scorching  day  heats  come  to  wither  the  delicate  flowers 
and  fill  the  soul  with  flery  madness.  That  time,  the 
poet  souls  of  all  races,  kindreds  and  tongues,  have  sung 
of  as  the  Eden  day  dawn,  whicli  was  at  the  beginning 
and  is  forever,  symbolized  by  all  that  is  beautiful  and 
lovely  in  earth  and  heaven. 


STORY  OF  THB  HUGUBl^OTe.  167 


CHAPTER  XXVII. 

THE   HUGUENOT    EXOLOBATIONS— A   VOYAGE   DOWN  THE 
OOAST  TO  OANAVBBAl,. 

But  little  of  the  southern  portion  of  these. lanil-loeked 
tide  waters  and  their  immediate  shores  had  D'Erlach 
and  his  companions  in  the  bateau  seen  before,  for  on 
their  advance  by  land  from  the  scene  of  the  wrecking  of 
the  squadron  to  Matanzas,  their  march  had  been  on  the 
seaward  side  over  the  beach,  which  in  his  own  words  he 
described  as  ''one  of  the  finest  in  the  world;  being 
smooth,  hard  and  broad  enough  for  a  large  army  to 
march  over  in  ranked  battalions,  and  though  the  sun 
might  shine  ever  so  brightly,  moist  with  the  tides  and 
cooled  by  sea  winds,  seldom  hot  and  uncomfortable." 
The  absence  of  streams  of  fresh  water,  however,  had 
made  a  resort  to  the  wells  at  the  Indian  villages  on  the 
inner  shores  occasionally  necessary,  and  on  these  visits 
only  had  they  any  views  of  this  section  of  the  country. 

Now,  however,  the  whole  beautiful  panorama  was 
before  them,  each  hour  bringing  a  shifting  of  the  scene, 
though  all  in  perfect  harmonj^. 

Two  leagues  below  Ostinola's  town  they  came  to  an 
island,  separated  from  the  mainland  by  a  salt  marsh  and 
a  shallow  winding  creek  behind  which,  and  stretching  a 
mile  or  more  along  the  river  shore,  were  the  villages  of 
Azalatowah,  facing  others  on  the  peninsula  side,  each 
with  shell  mounds  and  little  gardens  very  pleasant  to 
the  sight  and  containing  quite  a  large  population. 


168  FLORIDA  HISTORICAL  TALES. 

Indeed,  there  were  more  people  here  than  at  the 
town  where  the  Cacique  resided,  and  here  was  the  orig- 
inal capital  town  of  the  tribe. 

There  was  much  rich  land  in  tlie  vicinity  and  more 
oyster  reefs  and  bars  in  the  river  and  a  great  abundance 
of  fish.  D'Erlach  had  examined  the  place  during  the 
Testing  time  after  the  departure  of  the  main  body,  with 
Ostinola,  and  had  advised  the  latter  to  put  up  under  Uhl- 
rich's  direction  stockade  defenses  and  in  case  of  Spanish 
Invasion  to  be  prepared  to  retreat  to  it,  as  a  more  de- 
fensible position,  both  river  and  landward  sides. 

The  breeze  was  fresh  and  fair  and  so  tiiey  sailed  on 
over  the  sunbright  waters,  only  answering  from  time  to 
time  the  friendly  hails  from  either  shore.  Passing  the 
southern  point,  jutting  out  into  the  main  channel  of  the 
river  which  marked  that  boundary  of  the  settlement, 
4:hey  sped  on  as  if  their  boat  had  wings,  over  a  broad  bay, 
then  passing  another  island,  fairly  white  with  herons, 
they  entered  a  tortuous  maze  of  mangrove  islands  and 
oyster  reefs  which  extended  to  the  inlet,  in  the  neighbor- 
hood of  which  they  were  regaled  at  a  village;  where  was 
a  huge  shell  mound  conspicuous  from  a  distance;  ruled 
over  by  a  Cacique  who  was  a  friend  and  ally  of  Ostinola, 
and  who,  although  doubtful  at  the  first,  whether  his 
strange  visitors  might  not  be  Spaniards,  whom  their  tra- 
ditions of  former  visits  had  taught  them  to  be  wary  of, 
on  hearing  the  report  of  their  pilot  received  the  whole 
party  with  pleasant  welcome. 

Still  the  many  mangrove  islets  lined  their  way,  as 
from  this  place  they  sailed  on  southward,  threading  them 
by  such  winding  devious  ways  they  were  glad  they  had 
a  pilot  to  direct  them,  until  at  evening  they  reached  a 


STORY   OF  THE   HUGUENOTS.  169 


high  mound,*  which  seemed  almost  a  mountain,  from 
whose  summit  they  could  look  far  seaward,  and  south- 
ward over  some  wooded  islands,  beyond  which  stretched 
a  great  lagoon ;  whose  waters  sent  baclt  all  the  glowing 
colors  of  a  gorgeous  sunset  in  a  thousand  tints  beyond 
the  painter's  art  to  imitate.  Here  also  was  an  Indian 
settlement  whose  inhabitants  received  them  gladly,  as 
was  their  custom  to  the  last  regarding  the  Frenchmen, 
for  from  their  first  contact,  kindness  had  begotten  friend- 
ship, broken  by  no  hostile  act,  and  not  forgotten  even  in 
dire  misfortune. 

The  general  course  of  these  waters  was  south  with 
an  easterly  trend,  and  they  were  separated  from  the 
ocean  only  by  a  barrier  which  in  some  places  was  almost 
narrow  enough  for  storm  waves  to  leap  over.  All 
^'abounded  in  fish  and  oysters,  also  large  turtles,  caught 
often  by  the  natives  sleeping  on  the  surface  of  the  water, 
or  in  traps  and  nets,  they  being  excellent  for  food.  Huge 
reptiles,  called  alligators,  very  much  like  the  crocodiles 
of  Egypt  and  India,  but  not  so  savage  or  feared  by  the 
inhabitants,  were  seen  by  us  frequently;  but  as  their 
skins  are  so  tough  as  to  turn  spear  point  and  bullet,  and 
their  flesh  not  to  be  prized  for  meat,  no  one  disturbed 
them. 

''Small  sharks — which  were  not  dangerous,  however, 
to  fishers  wading  in  the  waters  or  bathers,  and  immense 
sawfish,  as  they  are  called  from  their  upper  jaws  pro- 
jecting in  the  shape  of  a  saw  blade  and  being  set  with 
teeth,  abounded ;  also  porpoises  or  dolphins  in  great  num- 


*  Note. — Turtle  Mound,  on  the  Hillsboro  south  of 
New  Smyrna.  It  has  long  been  a  land  mark  to  sailors, 
along  the  coast. 


170  FLORIDA   HISTORICAL  TALES. 

bers.  It  was  marvelous  how  maoy  were  the  fish  of  all 
kinds  in  these  waters,  the  supply  being:  kept  up  con- 
stantly from  the  sea;  some  of  them  being  so  grotesque  in 
form  and  appearance  that  it  seemed  as  if  nature  in  this 
secluded  region  had  much  leisure  to  invent,  as  well  as 
desire  to  multiply,  strange  creations. 

•'There  was  a  great  flat  fish  covered  with  a  rough 
skin,  having  the  mouth  set  with  strong  teeth  more  like 
those  of  a  land  animal  than  a  fish,  and  having  a  long  tail 
armed  with  barbed  stingers  or  darts,  whose  wounds  the 
Indians  very  much  feared,  being  painful  and  dangerous 
to  life.  These  darts  were  a  palm  breadth  long  and  often 
used  as  arrow  heads  by  the  natives. 

''We  wondered  very  much  at  some  large  aquatic  ani- 
mals, for  such  they  are,  which  grazed  on  the  moss  and 
weeds  growing  in  many  places  on  the  bottoms  of  the 
deeper  pools,  especially  where  fresh  water  streams  come 
in  from  the  interior,  in  herds  like  cattle.  They  have  no 
legs  or  feet,  nor  fins  like  fish,  but  are  more  like  seals. 
Their  flesh  is  esteemed  by  the  Indians,  but  to  us  it  was 
not  very  palatable.  These  water  cows  (or  manatees) 
are  not  easily  captured  as  they  seldom  come  into  shallow 
wator  or  on  shore,  but  when  one  is  caught  and  killed  a 
whole  village  will  feast  abundantly. 

"Of  wild  fowl  there  is  no  end.  Oftimes  we  would 
sail  for  hours  through  such  immense  flocks  of  ducks  that 
they  could  scarcely  swim  or  fly,  they  were  so  much  in 
each  others  way;  and  when  they  did  rise  on  the  wing 
the  noise  they  made  was  like  distant  thunder.  Some- 
times an  arquebus  shot  amongst  them  would  kill  many, 
although  fired  at  random.  An  expert  bowman  could  with 
ease  secure  as  many  as  he  wished  and  very  fat  tliey  were 


STORY  OF  THE  HUGUENOTS.  171 


and  good  to  eat."  * 


*  Note. — Even  almost  to  the  present  year,  Andreas 
La  Roche's  description  of  this  section  of  the  coast 
waterways,  called  the  Halifax,  Hillsboro'  and  Mosquito 
Lagoons  is  correct  in  every  respect  except  as  to  the  In- 
dian villages  the  only  remains  of  which  are  the  shell 
mounds. 


172  FIX)RIDA  HISTOBIOAL  TALES. 


CHAPTER  XXVIII. 

THE  OAXAVEBAL  SHORE — THEY  FLOAT  THE  DOLPHIN. 

At  the  extreme  southern  end  of  the  lagoon,  where  it 
was  separated  from  a  corresponding  body  of  water  by  a 
narrow  neck  of  land  and  also  from  the  ocean  by  a  similar 
strip,  they  reached  on  tlie  next  day  the  vicinity  of  the 
wrecks. 

It  was  here  one  of  the  vessels,  L'Etoille,  came  ashore 
and  Its  battered  hulk,  stripped  of  masts,  tackle  and  all 
portable  articles,  still  remained  a  melancholy  relic  of  the 
great  storm.  A  short  distance  below  was  the  hull  of  the 
Dolphin,  the  ship  which  Rotrou  had  commanded.  It  be- 
ing staunch  and  new  had  so  far  resisted  the  power  of  the 
breakers,  and  by  taking  out  of  it  all  heavy  articles,  with 
anchors  and  strong  cables  seaward,  they  had  tried  to 
float  it. 

Near  this,  upon  a  sandy  knoll,  a  rude  stockade  with 
huts  had  been  erected  and  here  were  stored  in  hopes  of 
final  embarkation,  everything  of  value  rescued  from  the 
wrecks. 

As  the  days  went  by  in  apparently  futile  endeavnrs, 
the  hearts  of  the  poor  Huguenots  had  grown  faint  and 
sick.  There  was  such  a  wild,  strange  wilderness  of  land 
and  water  around  them,  with  the  great  ocean  barring 
their  way  back  to  their  native  land.  Morning  and  even- 
ing they  gazed  over  its  restless  bosom  hoping,  yet  dread- 
ing to  see  the  whit«  gleam  of  far  off  sails.  The  odds  were 
great   that  when   they   did    see  them  they  would  not 


STORY  OF  THE  HUGUENOTS.  173 

bear  the  flag  of  France  or  of  friends.  A  little  handful  of 
people,  whom  their  king  loved  not  and  in  his  treacherous 
heart  had  given  up  to  the  Spanish  wolf,  to  do  as  lie 
pleased  with — the  sails  when  they  did  show  u^)  were 
most  likely  to  be  those  of  their  enemies,  from  whom  they 
had  but  lately  barely  escaped  with  their  lives. 

It  need  not  be  said  D'Erlach  and  his  men  were  re- 
ceived with  welcome,  and  the  news  of  their  victory  over 
the  Spaniards  at  Matanzas,  for  the  time  being,  infused 
new  life  into  them.  Especially  did  it  encourage  Ottigny, 
LaCaille  and  Rotrou,  the  latter  of  whom,  foreseeing  pos- 
sible failure  in  getting  the  Dolphin  off  of  the  bar,  had 
nearly  completed  a  shallop,  with  which  to  navigate  the 
inland  waters  or,  perhaps,  with  good  fortune,  capture 
amongst  the  islands  and  keys  to  the  southward,  some 
Si^anish  craft.  The  Bahamas  were  not  far  distant,  and 
they  were  much  frequented  by  the  Spaniards,  who  made 
a  practice  of  visiting  these  islands  and  carrying  off  the 
natives  in  great  numbers  to  Hispaniola  and  Cuba  as 
slaves,  until  they  were  eventually  depopulated.  The 
shallop  was  soon  launched  successfully  and  the  time 
came  for  the  final  attempt  to  float  the  Dolphin.  It  was 
an  open  roadstead  exposed  to  the  northeast  gales,  but 
the  weather  since  the  great  storm  had  been  mild  and 
quiet. 

The  tides  were  now  beginning  to  increase  and  there 
was  a  strain  upon  her  moorings  and  a  slight  uneasy  mo- 
tion which  showed  that  the  ship  was  on  the  point  of 
floating.  To  assist  in  this  Rotrou  had  attached  floats 
of  timber  and  empty  casks  to  its  sides  and  one  morning 
near  the  end  of  November,  the  trial  was  made  to  kedge  it 
off. 


174  FLORIDA  HISTORICAL  TALES. 

Several  anchors  had  been  carried  out,  with  the 
cables  brought  on  board  to  the  windlass.  At  the  moment 
the  tide  lifted  her  free  of  the  sand,  a  strain]was  put  on 
them. 

There  was  a  moment  of  supreme]suspense.  A  breaker 
coming  against  her  made  her  tremble.  ''She  moves!" 
shouted  one.  "Nay,  she  moves  not!"  exclaimed  another. 
"Heave  on  the  windlass,  lads!"  cried  Rotrou.  "Steady 
and  all  together!" 

When  the  cables  were  strained  almost  to  parting,  a 
great  roller  coming  in  lifted  her  off  the  bottom  and  the 
vessel  moved  forward.  Seizing  upon  this  hint  every  suc- 
ceeding swell  was  utilized  in  like  manner.  But  progress 
was  slow  and  it  was  not  until  two  days  thereafter  that 
deep  enough  water  was  reached  to  float  the  ship  freely. 
It  was  theh  found  there  were  so  many  leaks  in  the  hull 
that  it  could  not  be  kept  afloat  without  pumping. 

So  some  were  kept  busy  at  this,  while  others  were 
employed  in  bending  on  the  sails  so  tliat  she  could  be 
taken  to  the  inlet,  beached  and  caulked. 

What  gladness  and  rejoicings  there  were,  when  once 
more  sail  was  hoisted  on  the  Dolphin !  With  what  cheer- 
ful shouts  they  welcomed  the  rising  to  the  masthead  of 
their  own  flag!  They  wept  and  laughed  by  turns. 
Leaped  and  frolicked  like  children.  There  were  some 
pieces  of  artillery  which  had  l)een  brought  ashore  and 
with  them  was  fired  the  first  salute  that  ever  awakened 
the  echoes  of  this  coast. 

L  )ng  afterwards  the  Indians  told  of  the  day  of 
thunder,  when  there  were  no  clouds. 

The  drums  beat.  Luigo's  l)ugle  played  every  strain 
of  joy  known  to  him  and  tliero  was  no  cessation  of  re- 


BTOBY   OF  THE   HUGUENOTS.  175 

joicing  amongst  those  temporarily  left  behind  to  care  for 
the  stores,  when  Rotrou  filled  away  on  the  seaward  tack 
to  make  an  offing  for  the  inlet. 

Fortune  was  once  more  smiling  on  them,  or  at  least 
seemed  relenting. 

''Praise  God !  The  good  ship  Dolphin  is  afloat  once 
more!"  said  Le  Roche.  "Surely  she  should  be  called 
our  Good  Hope,"  said  another,  and  so  on  they  spoke 
merrily  and  hopefully  to  each  other.  Although  there 
were  some,  who  said  but  little;  in  whose  eyes  the  tears 
stood,  not  for  sorrow,  but  for  gladness  too  deep  to  voice 
in  words. 

They  seemed  to  see,  far  beyond  the  waters,  the  sun- 
light falling  on  their  native  hills  in  a  sheen  of  glory ; 
lighting  up  the  vales  and  vineyards ;  the  orchards  and 
fields  of  corn ;  the  haven  of  Rochelle,  crowded  with  ship- 
ping; its  ramparts  holding  in  stout  embrace  their  homes 
and  home  folks— nay,  they  seemed  to  hear  mingling  with 
the  moaning  of  the  surf  breaking  at  their  feet,  the  very 
market  cries ;  gay  songs  of  revelers,  or  hymns  of  praise 
and  thanksgiving;  not  loud,  because  coming  so  far,  yet 
clear  enough  for  their  souls  to  hear  and  be  thrilled 
through  and  through. 

Amongst  those  left  behind  to  guard  and  transport 
the  stores,  there  was  a  young  man  who  sat  upon  the  bank 
with  his  head  upon  his  hand,  silent  for  a  while,  gazing 
after  the  ship.  ''What  ails  thee,  mon  ami?"  queried  a 
comrade,  placing  his  hand  upon  his  shoulder. 

"Thou  knowest,  LeBarron,  I  ran  away  and  joined 
Monsieur  Ribault's  ship,  because  I  thought  life  at  home 
was  a  torment,  but  I  am  heartsick  to  hear  Dame  Marjorie 
scold  again.    I  would  rather  hear  her  make  the  sauce- 


176  FLORIDA   HISTORICAL  TALES. 

pans  fairly  rattle  with  her  tongue,  than  listen  to  the  an- 
gels' singing;  for  look  you,  then  I  would  know  that  I  was 
at  home  once  more !" 

"Ah  lad!"  LeBarron  answered,  looking  at  the  swell- 
ing of  the  Dolphin's  sails  as  she  bowed  to  tlie  billows. 
*'There  be  others  that  would  like  to  drink  a  tankard  of 
red  Burgundj^  in  thy  mother's  inn,  and  with  God's  help 
they  may."  And  with  Hope's  song  in  their  hearts  they 
gazed  seaward  lost  in  dreams  of  home. 


STORY  OF  THE   HUGUENOTS.  177 


CHAPTER  XXIX. 

THE  SPANIARDS  SEEK  TO  DESTROY    THE    HUaUBNOTS — 
THE   BATTLE   OF  AZALA. 

A  few  hours  after  the  departure  of  the  Dolphin,  Le- 
Barron  came  to  D'Erlach,  who  was  superintending  the 
transportation  of  stores  to  the  shallop  and  reported  that 
off  the  cape  could  be  seen  the  gleam  of  far-off  sails. 

And  so  it  proved,  for  as  the  sun  set  low  in  the  west 
its  rays  beat  full  and  fair  against  the  white  canvas  of 
four  vessels  steering  northward,  coming  close  enough  to 
land  for  the  French  to  distinguish  their  hulls. 

These,  by  their  fashion  and  size,  were  judged  rightly 
to  be  the  squadron  Melendez  expected,  but  as  the  vessels 
kept  on  their  course  no  alarm  was  created.  Rotrou 
meantime  had  gained  his  harbor  before  the  Spanish  ves- 
sel came  into  sight  and  was  hidden  from  them.  He 
sought  and  found  a  suitable  place  for  finishing  the  re- 
pairing of  the  Dolphin,  in  a  deep  creek  out  of  sight  from 
the  inlet,  behind  dense  thickets  of  mangrove  trees,  where 
for  a  fortnight  the  work  went  on  undisturbed. 

Melendez  at  St.  Augustine,  upon  the  arrival  of  the 
ships  containing  soldiers,  colonists,  horses  and  supplies 
although  having  so  much  to  engage  his  attention  in  the 
more  securely  establishing  of  his  colony  as  to  prevent 
him  from  leading  it,  could  now  send  a  detachment  to  re- 
taliate upon  the  Huguenots  the  destruction  of  the  out- 
post at  Matanzas,  doubting  not  that  it  would  be  an  easy 
matter  to  over-master  the  remnant  of  Ribault's  forces. 


178  FLORIDA  HISTOBIOAL  TALES. 

To  the  several  Spanish  cavaliers,  too  proud  to  work 
or  be  deeply  interested  in  the  building  of  forts,  houses  or 
settlements,  the  lack  of  opportunity  to  display  their  mil- 
itary spirit  was  very  irksome.  So  when  the  Adelantado's 
intention  of  attacking  the  Frenchmen  was  made  known 
there  was  eager  strife  amongst  them  as  to  who  should 
lead. 

It  had  been  learned  that  a  small  detachment  of  Hu- 
guenots was  with  Ostinola,  but  that  the  larger  party  was 
at  Cape  Canaveral,  or  supposed  to  be,  for  those  on  board 
the  squadron,  coasting  along  near  to  land  had  noted  the 
wrecks,  also  the  little  stockade  and  had  seen  men  busy 
about  them. 

So,  while  a  detachment  of  two  hundred  soldiers  was 
placed  under  the  command  of  Diego  de  Maya  for  the 
land  attack,  Martin  D'O'choa  was  given  two  large  cara- 
vels with  as  many  more  on  board,  to  assault  the  Canav- 
eral post. 

As  for  D'Ochoa,  his  expedition  was  a  fruitless  and 
not  dangerous  one,  for  on  his  arrival  he  found  the  local- 
ity deserted  by  the  French.  He,  however,  burned  their 
huts  and  stockade.  Nor  could  he  find  any  trace  of  their 
whereabouts,  for  upon  his  appearance  the  Indians  of  the 
neighborhood  fled  to  inaccessible  haunts  on  the  inner 
islands. 

But  Maya's  expedition  had  different  results.  It 
landed  secretly  at  night  from  boats  on  the  south  side  of 
the  Matanzas  Inlet  and  once  more  the  dawn  of  day 
gleamed  on  helm  and  corselet,  and  the  beach  side  showed 
a  long  marching  column,  for  besides  the  soldiers  there 
were  slave  porters  and  camp  followers  after  the  fashion 
of  the  times,  making  quite  an  army. 


STORY  OP  THE  HUGUENOTS.  179 

There  were  friars  also,  carrying  the  crucifix,  for  this 
was  a  Christian  invasion  of  a  land  whose  inhabitants 
were  pagans  and  heretics. 

At  evening  they  came  to  a  little  village  at  the  head 
of  the  river,  whose  inhabitants,  not  able  to  resist,  fled  in 
dismay ;  several  being  shot  as  they  ran  through  the  for- 
est or  towards  the  shore  as  if  they  had  been  but  wild 
beasts.  Whatever  was  left  behind,  of  use  to  them,  the 
soldiers  looted. 

On  the  next  day  when  they  came  to  the  village  oppo- 
site Ostinola's  town,  this,  too,  they  found  deserted  and 
although  across  the  river  could  be  seen  signs  of  people 
moving,  having  no  boats  wherewith  to  cross,  it  was  de- 
termined to  halt  and  send  out  scouts  to  find  the  enemy. 
Nor  was  it  long  before  these  reported  that  at  a  place  two 
leagues  below,  both  on  the  mainland  and  peninsula 
shores,  were  many  Indians  gathered  to  dispute  their  fur- 
ther progress. 

Maya  divided  his  forces  into  two  parties,  the  larger 
one  to  march  southward  by  the  beach,  the  other  carrying 
only  their  arms,  by  a  little  central  valley  and  seeing  that 
reinforcements  were  constantly  going  by  water,  he  hast- 
ened forward. 

THE   BATTLE   OF  AZALA. 

The  main  body  pressed  rapidly  onward  until  sudden- 
ly a  stinging  hail  of  arrows  fell  on  them  from  the  high 
bank  along  the  seashore.  Shouting  their  war  cry  of 
^'Santiago!  For  Leon  and  Castile!"  the  Spaniards  rushed 
up  the  steep,  sandy  banks  and  rapidly  drove  the  Indians 
back  towards  a  high  central  ridge.  Here  they  were  sud- 
denly halted  by  a  volley  of  bullets  from  young  D'Er- 
lach's  squad  of  arquebusiers. 


180  FLORIDA   HISTORICAL  TALES. 

It  came  so  unexpectedly  upon  the  Spaniards,  there 
was  a  lull  for  a  moment,  but  soon  firing  on  the  north  told 
of  the  other  detachment  having  reached  the  scene  of 
action.  Then  rose  a  clamor  of  Indian  war  whoops,  Span- 
ish and  French  war  cries  mingled  with  the  reports  of 
firearms  and  other  sounds  of  battle,  such  as  these  wilds 
had  never  known  before. 

Several  assaults  were  led  by  DeMaya  in  person,  but 
were  beaten  back  bravely. 

Ostinola  and  his  warriors  were  fighting  for  their 
homes,  their  liberties  and  lives.  The  Huguenots  knew 
no  mercy  was  to  be  expected  from  such  foes.  But  the 
Spaniards  were  well  armed  and  so  armored  that  the 
chances  of  loss  in  battle  from  the  weapons  of  the  Indians 
were  small.  Their  steel  caps  and  breastplates  were  im- 
pervious to  the  arrow  shafts,  but  several  in  the  close  en- 
counter were  beaten  to  death  with  clubs,  and  sometimes 
a  well-aimed  arrow  or  spear  point  found  a  defenseless 
spot. 

Then  the  thickets  were  so  dense  and  filled  with  stub- 
born, agile  foes,  that  headway  was  difficult  as  well  as 
dangerous. 

Ernest  D'Erlach  and  Uhlrich  with  their  little  hand- 
ful of  arquebusiers  and  a  number  of  Ostinola's  men  with 
halberds,  but  not  well  skilled  in  using  them,  formed  the 
very  core  of  the  defense,  and  perceiving  this,  Maya  sent 
his  best  men  against  them  and  here  the  battle  waged  the 
hardest.  At  last  an  Arragonese  soldier  skilled  as  a 
marksman,  got  a  shot  at  the  young  lad  that  brought  him 
to  the  ground,  but  as  he  was  in  the  very  act  of  uttering  a 
shout  of  triumph,  Itahoma,  with  unerring  aim  sped  a 
shaft  from  his  strong  bow,  which  drove  right  through  his 


STORY  OF  THE  HUGUENOTS.  181 

eye  into  the  brain.  At  this  moment  the  flanking  party  of 
Spaniards  drove  back  the  Indians  before  them  and  Maya 
ordered  his  men  to  charge. 

This  forced  the  Indians  and  the  little  company  of 
Huguenots  back  toward  the  river  shore,  fighting  every 
foot  of  the  way.  Along  the  riverside  there  was  a  long 
straggling  village  with  gardens.  A  portion  of  this  was 
seized  by  the  Spaniards,  but  another  portion,  somewhat 
separated  from  the  rest,  which  had  rude  palisades  about 
it  and  contained  a  large  shell  mound,  was  stoutly  de- 
fended by  the  Indians  and  Huguenots,  until  sundown, 
when  the  battle  ceased. 

The  grief  and  consternation  of  the  Huguenots  was 
indescribable  when  they  found  Ernest  was  missing. 
None  but  Itahoma  had  witnessed  his  fall  and  he  could 
only  tell  how  a  Spaniard  had  fired  at  him,  and  that 
young  D'Erlach  fell  immediately,  but  that  the  brush  was 
BO  thick  he  could  not  see  him  any  more. — "Neither,"  he 
added  grimly  "could  the  soldier  who  shot  him." 

The  night  was  dark,  but  both  Itahoma  and  Uhlrich 
stole  through  the  woods  to  the  scene  of  the  main  battle 
and  searched  long  for  Ernest,  but  found  him  not.  There 
was  anxiety  also  amongst  them  over  the  disappearance 
of  Issena,  who,  with  her  favorite  companion,  Nonotta, 
although  they  had  come  to  the  village  in  the  morning, 
was  not  to  be  found  anywhere. 


182  FLORIDA  HISTORICAL  TALES. 


CHAPTER  XXX. 

THH    lad's    desperate    PLIGHT — ISflENA'S    HEROISM — 
D'ERLAOH   TO  THE   RESOUB. 

On  the  eve  of  this  first  day  of  the  battle  of  Azala,  the 
rays  of  the  descending  sun,  poured  through  all  the  wide 
horizon  rich  floods  of  radiant  color,  glorifying  land  and 
sea  and  river,  into  a  dream  of  heaven. 

They  illumined  the  curling  wreaths  of  battle  smoke 
with  rainbow  irridescence,  and  piercing  through  the 
ranks  of  forest  trees,  fell  on  bruised  leaves  of  plants  and 
blades  of  grass,  all  dabbled  and  stained  with  the  red  tide 
that  is  the  life  of  mortal  men ;  and  lying  in  the  midst  of 
them,  upon  the  stiffening  forms  of  those  who  never  more 
would  strive  in  desperate  battle,  and  on  the  wounded 
writhing  in  pain,  clamoring  for  water.  'Twas  Nature's 
lesson,  that  despite  its  covering  of  pomp  and  glory,  war 
is  never  aught  but  hell. 

Already  treading  on  the  heels  of  the  last  charge, 
which  drove  the  battle  toward  the  river  shore,  were  the 
Spanish  camp  followers  searching  the  hillsides  and  the 
valley  with  their  daggers  ever  ready  to  give  short  shriv- 
ing to  the  Indians  left  behind,  disabled  by  their 
wounds. 

"Why  spare  them?  They  are  but  pagan  dogs!  Send 
them  to  their  father,  Satan!"  This  was  their  only  logic, 
emphasized  by  steel. 

Still  echoed  the  sounds  of  the  contest  raging  fiercely 
around  the  village;  the  sharp  reports  of  arquebuses;  the 


STORY   OF  THE   HUGUENOTS.  188 

clash  of  swords  and  halberds;  war  whoops  and  battle 
cries;  with  anon  a  bugle  blast  or  war  conch's  wild  disso- 
nance, mingling  in  a  barbarous  discord,  answered  from 
the  sunfilled  heights  of  air  by  the  screams  of  soaring 
eagles. 

At  this  time,  and  near  the  spot  where  the  Huguenots 
had  stood  to  meet  the  foes  onslaught,  the  bushes  were 
parted  and  two  young  girls  stepped  forth  into  the  open. 

One  said:  "Near  this  very  place  I  saw  him  last.  I 
marked  it  well,  for  I  could  see,  against  the  gray  trunk  of 
this  gnarled  oak,  the  gleaming  of  the  egret  plume  I  dyed 
for  him  myself  and  fastened  but  yesterday  on  his  morion 
— for  so,  he  said,  the  ladies  of  his  land  were  wont  to  do 
by  their  chosen  knights — and  truly  he  was  mine. 
And  yet  I  see  no  trace  of  him,  though  only  a  few  short 
moments  have  passed  since  then. 

"As  the  Spaniards  poured  over  the  crest  of  yonder 
hill,  there  jcame  a  volley  from  all  the  arquebuses  that 
filled  the  air  with  thunder  and  smoke,  so  that  none  could 
hear  or  see.  Then  came  the  rush  of  the  charge,  and  as 
his  comrades  were  beaten  back  I  saw  he  was  not  with 
them." 

They  were  Issena  and  her  faithful  friend  Nonotta,  ven- 
turing on  the  battlefield  in  search  of  the  younger  D'Er- 
lach,  and  as  they  looked  hither  and  thither,  hoping,  yet 
dreading,  to  find  what  they  sought,  Issena  called  out: 
"Ernest!    My  Ernest,  where  art  thou?" 

There  came  no  answer,  save  the  mournful  burden  on 
the  air,  and  then  she  uttered  low :  "My  heart  will  break 
if  I  find  him  not.  And  yet>— when  I  do  find  him— it  may 
still  break.  Oh  thou,  his  God  and  mine,  I  pray  Thee  let 
me  find  him !    He  is  too  young  and  fair  and  brave  to  die  I 


184  FLORIDA   HISTORICAL  TALES. 

If  he  be  dead,  how  can  my  soul,  to  whom  the  way  is 
strange,  find  his  in  Heaven?", 

Frnm  various  points  of  the  valley  and  hillsides, 
thickly  set  with  tall  spruce  pines,  bent  toward  the  west 
by  sea  winds,  with  underneath  tangles  of  low  shrubs, 
broken  and  bent  still  lower  by  the  trampling  of  many 
feet,  came  groans  and  cries  to  which  she  turned  a  listen- 
ing ear ;  eager  to  catch  a  tone  she  would  know  full  well, 
but  could  not  hear  amongst  them  all. 

The  summit  of  the  seaward  ridge  was  not  far  and 
from  it  came  the  sound  of  voices.  They  turned  their  faces 
towards  it  and  saw  a  group  of  black-robed  men,  gazing 
downward.  The  friars  had  found  the  Arragonese  arque- 
busier  still  alive,  with  Itahoma's  arrow  shaft  fast  in  his 
head  and  he,  so  far  as  concerned  this  life,  past  all  pray- 
ing for  or  surgery.  Then  arose  upon  the  air  the  old  Latin 
service  for  the  dying. 

Listening  for  a  moment  and  seeing  that  from  this 
source,  not  soon  at  least,  would  come  interference  with 
them,  the  two  continued  their  seeking,  until  Nonotta 
pulled  back  a  sweet  bay  branch  hiding  a  little  hollow 
and  exclaimed:  "See,  Issena!  Here  lies  the  young 
chief  I    He  looks  as  if  he  slept,  but  I  do  fear  he  is " 

"Nay!  Nay  I  Say  it  not!  I  cannot,  will  not  have  it 
so!"  And  springing  forward  Issena  flung  herself  beside 
the  outstretched  form,  lying  face  upturned,  with  set  lips 
and  staring  eyes  that  saw  not. 

One  hand  still  tightly  gripped  the  sword  he  had 
drawn  to  meet  the  Spanish  charge ;  the  other  lay  upon 
the  ground  as  if  to  stay  himself  in  falling;  and  taking 
this  in  hers,  she  uttered  in  words  mingled  with  sobs  and 
tear-drops  falling  like  rain;  "Oh,  my  love!   If  thou  canst 


STORY  OF  THE   HUGUENOTS.  186 

not  speak  aloud,  whisper !  Be  it  but  one  word — if  ever  so 
faint  and  low — I  will  liear  it  in  my  heart.  Or,  if  not  even 
that  is  in  your  power,  do  but  move  your  lips  to  frame  a 
word  or  make  your  eyelids  quiver,  that  I  may  know  thou 
art  not  gone  from  me  forever." 

She  ceased  and  gazed  fixedly  on  the  pale  cold  face 
before  her ;  heedless  of  the  near  sounds  or  farther  echoes 
of  the  cruel  war  still  raging  near  them.  To  her  it  mat- 
tered naught. 

The  world  had  slipped  away  from  her  and  was  as  if  it 
had  never  been.  Over  her  young  soul  the  waves  of  desola- 
tion were  sweeping,  and  she  was  drowning  in  them,  nor 
cared  to  make  a  single  effort.  If  he  were  dead,  what 
was  it  all  to  her? 

Then  she  placed  an  arm  under  his  head  and  raised  it, 
gently  speaking  in  his  ear:  "I  call  thee,  mon  ami  I  Canst 
thou  not  hear  me?  If  thou  art  going  to  that  far  bright 
land  thou  hast  told  me  of  so  often,  tarry  a  little  while 
upon  the  way  that  I  may  join  thee!" 

She  kissed  him.  There  was  the  faintest  breathing  of 
a  sigh.  The  eyelids  closed.  She  put  her  ear  to  his  breast 
as  if  to  listen  to  a  heart  beat. 

Of  a  sudden,  a  ray  of  hope  lighted  up  her  countenance 
just  as  the  summer  lightning  does  a  Gulf  Stream  cloud. 

"Oh,  Nono,  my  friend!  He  lives!  His  heart  still 
beats!  Quick!  Grasp  my  hands  underneath  him — sol 
They  must  not  find  him  here  to  finish  slaying  him." 

Tenderly  they  raised  him  in  their  strong  young  arms 
and  bore  him  swiftly  down  the  glade,  not  toward  the 
village,  for  the  enemy  was  between  them,  and  the  fight- 
ing not  yet  over. 

Ere  the  shadows  of  the   twilight  came  upon  them, 


188  FLORIDA  HISTORICAL  TALES. 

they  reached  a  little  pool  of  water  in  a  deep  hollow,  far 
enough  away  for  safety,  where  underneath  the  oaks  and 
palmettos,  in  a  spot  bare  of  aught  but  soft  leaves  and 
grass,  they  laid  their  burden  down. 

From  the  clenched  fingers  they  took  the  sword ;  un- 
loosed the  steel  cap,  in  which  Nonotta  brought  water; 
while  Issena,  heedless  of  the  blood  stains,  save  as  they 
moved  to  more  tender  care  and  pity,  unfastened  the  lad's 
bullet-torn  doublet  and  found  so  jagged  and  great  a  wound, 
made  by  the  ploughing  bullet,  it  took  all  the  spirit  from 
her,  making  her  mourn  and  tremble. 

And  yet,  they  did,  between  them,  manage  to  bind  up 
the  wound  with  such  knowledge  of  healing  leaves  gather- 
ed near,  as  staunched  the  farther  flow  of  blood ;  helped  by 
the  cold  insensibility  so  near  akin  to  death,  it  was  hard 
to  tell  the  difference. 

Twilight  deepened  into  night.  To  this  hollow  deep 
amid  the  forest  and  thicket-covered  ridges,  came  the 
booming  of  the  surf  as  if  miles  away.  The  branches 
overhead  shut  out  the  stars.  There  was  no  wind,  only  a 
ghostly  mist  came  floating  in,  which  they  could  feel  in 
its  chill  and  dampness,  but  neither  see  nor  hear.  But 
naught  came  to  harm  them. 

And  by  his  side,  through  the  long  dark  hours,  in  the 
little  bower  of  palmetto  leaves  they  had  built,  Issena  sat, 
while  the  soul  of  Ernest  strugled  back  to  sensibility;  lis- 
tened to  his  every  sigh  and  inspiration,  with  his  hand  in 
hers;  gave  him  water;  cooled  his  forehead  or  soothed  him 
with  words  he  himself  had  taught  her;  glad  despite  the 
pitch  black  gloom,  that  their  service  of  love  and  pity 
showed  some  reward. 

At  last  the  weary  vigil  was  broken,  just  before  the 


STORY  OF  THE  HUGUENOTS.  187 


dawn  of  day,  by  the  strains  of  a  bugle  coming  sweet  and 
clear  from  the  river. 

It  was  Luigo  blowing.  The  Chevalier  was  coming  to 
the  rescue.  An  answering  strain — it  was  LeBearnois  tell- 
ing where  the  beleaguered  Huguenots  were. 

Then  farther  still,  arose  tiie  clamor  of  the  Spanish 
trumpets  and  drums  calling  to-arms. 


188  FliOBIDA   HISTORICAL  TALES. 


CHAPTER  XXXI. 

THE   HUGUENOTS  GAIN  ANOTHER  VICTORY. 

There  was  a  thick  mist  on  the  river,  enough  to  hide 
the  shore  from  a  little  distance  out  upon  the  water  even 
when  the  day  dawn  came  to  tinge  its  fleecy  folds  with 
roseate  hues;  but  guided  by  LeBearnois'  bugle,  the  Chev- 
alier, with  a  fleet  of  canoes,  filled  with  warriors  from  the 
lower  river  villages  gathered  on  his  way,  and  fifty  of  his 
own  men,  steered  straight  for  the  position  held  by  Uhl- 
rich  and  Ostinola,  which  De  Maya  had  prepared  to  carry 
by  storm  in  the  morning.  But  now,  not  knowing  the  full 
strength  of  the  reinforcements,  and  judging  rightly  that 
they  were  headed  by  D'Erlach  himself,  De  Maya  was 
convinced  that  he  must  add  discretion  to  valor  and  rap- 
idly made  preparations  for  either  figlit  or  flight  as  need 
be.  However,  he  would  first  assault  and  try  their  strength 
so  sent  an  hundred  arquebuisers  to  assail  the  stockade. 

This  detachment  from  the  cover  of  the  nearest  dwell- 
ings, suddenly  began  heavy  and  rapid  firing,  sending  a 
hot  storm  of  bullets  upon  the  Huguenots  and  Indians, 
promptly  answered  in  like  manner.  In  the  midst  of 
which  fusilade  D'Erlach  landed. 

A  few  words  from  Ostinola  and  Uhlrich  informed 
him  of  the  condition  of  affairs,  also  that  Ernest  was  miss- 
ing; that  Uhlrich  and  Itahoma  had  themselves  searched 
the  battlefield  and  found  no  trace  of  him,  nor  did  they 
believe  he  was  in  the  hands  of  the  Spaniards. 

Meantime  the  latter  were  pushing  the  contest  so  vig- 


STORY  OF  THE  HUQUBN0T8.  189 

orously,  it  was  necessary  to  repel  them,  before  aught  else 
could  be  done. 

Perceiving  that  the  houses,  although  slightly  built, 
concealed  their  foes  from  sight,  arrows  wrapped  with  in- 
flammable materials  set  on  fire,  were  shot  into  their  roofs 
of  thatch,  which  speedily  caught  in  flames,  driving  the 
Spaniards  back. 

Under  cover  of  the  smoke,  flanking  parties  of  Indians 
were  sent  out  which  were  speedily  met  by  De  Mayans 
falling  back  toward  the  beach. 

The  trails  through  the  timber  and  thickets  by  which 
they  retreated  were  narrow,  and  with  some  of  his  best 
men  De  Maya  held  back  all  assaults,  until  from  behind 
the  high  sea  ramparts  he  could  employ  his  whole  force 
in  the  battle. 

But  every  moment,  his  enemies  thickened  and  draw- 
ing closer  to  his  lines,  poured  in  upon  them  such  galling, 
stinging  showers  of  arrows,  that  at  the  last  discouraged 
by  the  utter  impossibility  of  overcoming  the  allied  forces, 
he  began  the  retreat  towards  Matanzas,  leaving  several 
of  his  best  men  slain. 

De  Maya  had  surely  stirred  up  a  nest  of  hornets  and 
all  along  the  coast  line  he  had  to  fight  his  way  north- 
ward until  sunset  put  an  end  to  the  contest  in  tiie  vicin- 
ity of  Le  Camp  Renconte  Felice,  where  he  camped  that 
night,  and  from  whence  on  the  next  day  he  retreated  to 
St.  Augustine. 

It  is  said  that  this  expedition  thoroughly  convinced 
the  Spanish  captain  that  there  was  neither  glory  or  profit 
to  be  derived  from  warring  with  these  coast  tribes,  and 
that  soon  afterwards  he  left  Melendez'  service  and  joined 
the  conquistadores  of  South  America. 


190  FliOBIDA   HISTORICAL  TALES. 

Meantime,  how  fared  it  with  Issena  and  her'charge. 
When  the  two  heard  the  bugles  blowing,  for  they  were 
not  so  far  from  the  river  shore  that  the  sounds  could  not 
reach  them  distinctly,  hope  filled  their  hearts.  Help 
surely  was  near  at  hand.  But  when  at  daylight  came 
the  echoes  of  renewed  battle,  they  listened  with  anxiety. 

The  sound  of  firing  aroused  Ernest  somewhat  from 
his  insensibility.  His  voice  was  faint  and  he  could  only 
mutter  brokenly:  "I  hear  the  arquebuses — the  battle 
goes  on — ^and  I — what  means  this — my  side  pains  me  so!" 
Then  looking  up  into  the  face  of  the  form  bent  over  him 
with  the  daylight  falling  fair  upon  her  features,  he 
added:  ''Is  it  thou,  Issena?  Take  my  hand— I  scarce 
can  lift  it."  And  so,  apparently  content,  he  relapsed  into 
silence,  so  motionless,  so  marble-white  his  face,  it 
seemed  certain  that  death  had  set  its  seal  upon  him. 

Soon  there  drifted  in  upon  them,  filtering  through 
the  forest  growth,  streams  of  pungent  smoke.  What  if 
the  woods  were  on  fire  and  the  hungry  flames  should 
come  leaping  in  upon  them?  They  would  scarcely  dare 
to  move  him  for  fear  of  starting  his  wounds  afresh.  Nor 
would  they  know  where  to  fly  for  safety.  They  knew  not 
where  their  friends  were,  or  their  enemies.  What  could 
they  do  but  await  the  issue  of  the  battle,  meantime  clear- 
ing a  circle  around  them  of  the  dead  leaves  and  under- 
brush, so  as  to  keep  back  the  flre  should  it  come. 

An  hour  longer  they  listened  until  the  clamor  ol  the 
battle  grew  more  distant  by  which  they  knew  the  enemy 
was  retreating.  Then  came  the  trampling  of  men 
through  the  thickets  following  their  own  little  path  down 
the  glade. 

The  two  girls  sprang  to  their  feet,  and  in  a  moment 


STORY  OF  THE  HUGUENOTS.  191 

there  rang  a  shout  of  discovery  as  the  foremost  of  the 
searchers,  an  Indian,  saw  them. 

Following  on  his  heels  came  D'Erlach  himself,  with 
others.  His  eyes  saw  in  a  moment  the  little  bower ;  the 
lad's  sword  leaning  against  a  tree  trunk;  the  stained 
doublet  and  morion.  His  tongue  uttered  but  this:  "My 
brother,  is  he  here?"  "See,  my  lord!"  answered  Issena^ 
removing  a  broad  palm  leaf  so  that  he  could  look  upon 
Ernest.  "Nay,"  she  exclaimed,  as  D'Erlach  started, 
thinking  he  was  dead.  "He  is  alive,  but  so  grievously 
hurt  I  fear  much  for  him.  All  night  long  his  soul  seemed 
on  the  point  of  flight  and  sometimes  I  thought  it  was  so, 
and  then  my  heart  was  very  heavy." 

Then  she  told  him  all  the  story,  and  true  hearted 
soldier  as  he  was,  the  Chevalier  kissed  her  hand  and  so 
thanked  her  for  her  loving  loyalty,  that  to  her  dying  day 
she  forgot  not  his  words. 

Andreas  Le  Roche  was  somewhat  skilled  in  surgery, 
both  by  study  and  experience,  and  after  a  brief  examin- 
ation, said  the  lad  stood  a  chance  of  recovery  with  care 
and  nursing,  and  that  what  had  been  done  was  well  done, 
but  that  extreme  caution  must  be  used  in  moving  him  to 
better  quarters.  A  courier  arriving  at  this  moment  said 
the  Spaniards  were  making  a  stout  defence  at  the  sea- 
side, so  D'Erlach  rapidly  made  what  arrangements  were 
necessary  to  transport  them  all  across  the  river  to  the 
main  village,  and  hastening  back  to  the  contest,  ani- 
mated anew  by  finding  Ernest  still  alive,  soon  made  such 
disposition  of  his  forces  as  started  the  Spaniards  on  their 
retreat  up  the  beach,  thus  driving  back  the  last  invasion 
for  many  years  of  Ostinola's  territory. 

Towards  evening,  Ottigny  and  Uhlrich  came  back  to 


192  FLORIDA  HISTORICAL  TALES. 

Azala  with  two  prisoners,  whom  they  had  captured  in  the 
attack  upon  De  Maya's  retreating  forces.  They  had  re- 
cognized them  as  members  of  the  assasin  band  that  had 
slain  Ribault,  nor  did  the  men  deny  it,  but  rather  gloried 
in  the  deed.  Earlier  in  the  day  one  of  the  friars  also  had 
been  taken.  So  a  council,  after  the  fashion  of  a  military 
court  was  called,  composed  of  Ostinola,  his  chief  men 
and  the  Huguenot  officers,  who  tried  and  condemned  the 
assassins  to  be  put  to  death.  They  were  accordingly 
bound  to  a  tree  and  shot  to  death  with  arrows,  the  friar 
being  permitted  to  give  them  his  services  and  then  the 
latter  was  turned  loose  to  rejoin  his  defeated  country- 
men. 

And  so  ended  in  victory  for  the  Huguenots  their  last 
battle  with  the  Spaniards  on  this  coast. 

THE     DOLPHIN     WINS     HER     PORT — THE     JUNE     AT    RO- 
OHELLE. 

How  shall  the  rest  of  the  story  be  told?  Just  as  the 
old  Chronicle  tells  it. 

It  was  the  evening  of  a  June  Qay,  A.  D.  1666,  in  fair 
Rochelle,  the  brave  old  city  by  the  waters. 

Amongst  the  shipping  in  its  harbor,  moored  fast  to 
the  wharf,  was  the  battered,  worn  hulk  of  the  Dolphin, 
and  close  by  as  frayed  and  wave  worn  by  billows  and  tem- 
pest, a  Spanish  galleon  from  which  floated  beside  the 
flag  of  France,  the  D'Erlach  banner. 

Only  the  morn  before,  these  two  vessels,  close  to 
each  other,  sailed  by  the  Isle  de  Re,  with  colors  flying, 
sails  full  spread,  trumpets  blowing;  answering  the  cul- 
verins  of  the  fortress  at  the  harbor's  mouth,  with  their 
own  ''bastards  and  mynions"  and  brass  guns  of  Spanish 


STORY  OF  THE  HUGUENOTS.  198 


make,  in  noisy  salute ;  making  fast  to  the  landing  amidst 
the  shouts  of  the  burghers  and  sailors  of  the  Huguenot, 
city,  gathered  there  to  give  them  welcome. 

Albeit,  there  was  sadness  soon,  overcoming  the  it  re- 
joicing, when  it  was  seen  how  few  they  were  who  re-- 
•  turned  from  that  far,  strange  land,  whither  had  sailed 
from  this  very  port,  Ribault's  gallant  fleet.  And  there 
were  many,  both' men  and  women,  the  latter  chiefly,, 
who  crowded  on  board  the  vessels  to  ask  how  it  had 
fared,  with  this  one,  that  one,  or  the  other -^  too  often  go-- 
ing  slowly  homeward  with  bent  heads  or  weepifng  sorely.. 

Amongst  them  came  a  comely  matron,  with  eye  sH&ct 
and  springy  step  and  white  kerchief,  stiff  as  starch  couldl 
make  it.  In  a  moment  she  had  sought  and  found  a 
young  man,  the  comrade  of  LeBarron,  and  placing  a 
hand  upon  his  shoulder  said:  "Is  it  thou,  Ambroise 
Elide?  I  could  scold  thee  good,  thou  runaway,  but  my 
heart  is  too  glad !''  and  then  she  fell  to  weeping. 

It  was  Dame  Marjorie,  who  had  found  hef  son,  and 
he  flung  his  arms  around  her,  saying:  "Scold,  mother 
mine,  an  thy  heart  will  let  thee,  for  it  will  be  sweeter 
music  than,  I  have  heard  for  many  a  weary  day." 

One  trod  along  the  gangway  plank  leading  to  the 
galleon's  deck,  for  whom  the  throng  made  respectful 
way.  He  had  on  a  dark  gown  with  band  of  white  about 
his  neck  and  wore  a  black  skull  cap,  the  whole  costume, 
severe  and  plain,  as  became  the  chief  preacher  of  Ro- 
chelle,  Master  Keppel,  the  guardian  of  Ribault's  daugh- 
ter, the  Lady  Jeanne. 

He  came  as  one  expecting  sad  news,  for  from  his  win- 
dow overlooking  the  harbor  he  had  seen  the  vessels  com- 
ing in  and  had  marked  the  absence  of  Ribault's  own  ships. 


IW  FLORIDA  HISTORIOAL  TALES. 

To  him  D'Erlach  told  the  whole  story  of  Ribault's 
fate-  Showed  the  script  and  signet  ring  the  general  had 
jgiven  him  in  charge ;  and  set  apart  that  evening  to  de- 
liver the  same  into  the  daughter's  own  hands.  Then 
brought  to  him  his  brother  Ernest,  still  pale  and  thin  as 
«carce  recovered  from  his  wound,  with  the  Princess  Is- 
:8€ina  :and  her  faithful  Nonotta,  and  asked  that  the  Lady 
Jeanne  ziai^ht,  as  soon  as  her  sorrow  would  permit,  take 
•charge  of  the  maids.  This  and  more,  was  on  the  first 
day  of  arrival. 

The  evening  of  the  second  day,  LeBearnois,  Antoine 
tJhlric^,  the  Florentine  Luigo,  LeRoche  and  LeBarron, 
were  bidden  by  Ambroise  to  his  mother's  inn,  where 
Master  Keppel  was  to  join  them,  as  Dame  Marjorie 
wished  much  to  hear  all  they  could  tell,  "for  that  addle- 
pated  son  of  mine  can  give  neither  head  nor  tail  of  the 
story." 

So  they  went  at  his  bidding;  passing  up  the  well- 
known  narrow  streets,  paved  with  cobble  stones  and 
lined  with  quaint  old  buildings ;  by  the  burghers'  council 
hall,  the  church  and  market,  and  entered  the  inn  door 
just  as  dusk  fell  and  the  cressets  were  lighted ;  showing 
up  the  long  low  dining  room  with  its  red-tiled  floor,  and 
tables  heaped  with  good  cheer;  not  forgetting  great  flag- 
ons of  wine,  with  the  Dame's  best  silver  tankards  to 
drink  it  from,  polished  like  mirrors.  And  when  they 
had  eaten  much  and  drank  but  little,  she  and  Master 
Keppel,  who  had  joined  them,  pressed  them  to  tell  the 
story  of  their  mishaps  and  wanderings,  while  her  maids 
and  neighbors  gathered  near  to  listen. 

Andreas  at  first  was  spokesman,  but  before  it  was  all 
told,  each  joined  in  to  tell  a  part  and  as  they  spoke  their 


STORY  OF  THE  HUOUBN0T8.  196 

hearers  sighed,  wept  or  shuddered,  but  seldioin  smiled. 

The  story  was  finished  by  Le  Bearnois,  who  told 
how,  after  the  battle  of  Azala,  '^where  the  friars  ran  bo 
fast  they  tripped  upon  their  gowns,"  the  Huguenots  fin- 
ished the  repairing  of  the  Dolphin;  gathered  with  the 
help  of  Ostinola  and  his  men  such  stores  of  proTisions  as 
the  country  afforded  and  they  needed ;  filled  their  water 
casks ;  received  many  presents  of  dressed  skins,  Indiaa 
fabrics  and  curiosities;  and  how  lastly,  w)ieD  they  were 
ready  to  depart,  Ernest  declared  he  would  n^t  part  from 
Issena  or  she  from  him,  nor  Nonotta  from  her,  and  so  it 
was  finally  settled  between  the  Cacique  aiwl  the  Cheva- 
lier, that  the  two  should  go  with  them  to  France.  Also 
how,  upon  the  last  day,  came  the  Caeiqiie^s  wife,  Co- 
wena,  bringing  an  earthen  pot  of  pearls  and  many  other 
rare  things  that  would  make  the  two  damsels  quite  » 
fortune. 

"Fair  and  sunny  was  the  morning,  when  the  tide 
turning  seaward,  the  signal  gun  was  fired.  Then  our  flag 
rose  proudly  to  the  masthead;  our  sailB-HIled  to  the 
breeze  and  with  our  prow  turning  the  wavelets  into  foam, 
accompanied  to  the  very  breakers  on  the  bar,  by  Ostinola 
and  his  flotilla  of  canoes,  we  laid  our  course  for  France." 

"But  where  fell  you  in  with  the  Spanish  galleon?" 
asked  Master  Keppel. 

"Why,  that  was  a  stroke  of  good  Providence  in  our 
favor.  There  is  off  the  coast  of  Florida  a  great  group  of 
islands  called  the  Bahamas,  sometimes  the  Isles  of  Bo- 
hemia. Soon  after  we  left  port  there  came  up  a  heavy 
north  gale,  which  despite  all  we  could  do,  drove  us  south- 
ward. We  had  none  on  board  who  knew  aught  of  the 
seas  around  these  islands,  but  by  good  fortune  we  ran 


196  FLORIDA  HISTORICAL  TALES. 

under  the  lee  of  one  called  Abaco,  and  there  we  found 
and  surprised  the  galleon.  After  mastering  the  crew  we 
set  them  ashore  to  shift  for  themselves  as  best  they 
could,  they  being  better  acquainted  with  the  country  and 
we  so  overcrowded  on  the  Dolphin  as  to  be  uncomfort- 
able. We  found  also  considerable  treasure  on  board  and 
provision,-  whereat  we  rejoiced  greatly,  for  that  we 
should  not  suffer  from  empty  stomachs  or  come  home 
empty-handed." 

The  tale  was  ended  as  the  moon  arose,  flooding  tow- 
ers and  ramparts,  the  city's  clustering  dwellings  and  the 
harbor  with  its  mellow  light;  and  they,  being  joined  by 
others  frorrt  the  ships,  beneath  the  clustering  vines  of  the 
arbored  garden  of  the  Inn,  hanging  full  with  unripened 
grapes,  the  air  fragrant  with  the  breath  of  roses,  sang 
and  danced  for  hours,  glad  to  their  souls  to  be  home  once 
more  in  La  Belle  France. 


STORY  OF  THE  HUGUENOTS.  197 

APPENDIX. 

It  will  be  seen  by  the  historical  facts  given  in  this 
Story  of  the  Huguenots  that  they  were  the»flrst  martyrs 
to  civil  and  religious  liberty  on  the  North  American 
Continent;  arriving  as  they  did  nearly  half  a  century  be- 
fore the  landing  of  the  Puritans  at  Plymouth.  Their 
trials,  sufferings,  and  the  tragic  deaths  of  many  of  them, 
while  not  resulting  in  establishing  a  permanent  settle- 
ment, sanctified  the  land  to  liberty,  although  more  than 
two  hundred  years  elapsed  before  a  final  victory  was 
achieved  for  human  freedom  and  the  greatest  republic 
on  earth  was  established. 

Another  fact  is  shown  by  history:  The  Huguenots 
driven  to  America  by  intolerable  oppression,  from  first 
to  last,  have  filled  our  chronicles  with  gallant  and  pa- 
triotic deeds  and  the  names  of  their  descendants  stand 
high  on  our  rolls  of  honor,  in  every  walk  of  life. 

Correction. — On  page  30  instead  of  28th  of  July 
read  28th  of  August  as  the  date  of  the  departure  of  Sir 
John  Hawkins. 

Note. — To  Mr.  John  Anderson,  of  Ormond,  is  due 
the  author's  thanks  for  material  aid  and  friendly  encour- 
agement which  enabled  him  to  publish  this  edition. 


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